tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331291972024-03-07T15:47:30.907-08:00In Yarn VeritasIn Vino Veritas - In wine there is truth. In Yarn Veritas...well, you get the drift. I love to knit and spin and weave (hence the blog name). I also love wine and have worked in the wine industry. I'm a freelance writer, wife and mother to twin boys. Here I'll show you mostly projects I dream of making and some (ok a few) I've actually made. We'll also talk about wine on occasion since every yarn has the perfect wine pairing!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-64118773406001413732017-02-23T16:03:00.000-08:002017-02-23T16:03:04.996-08:00Finito<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">I'm on my annual visit to the great Pacific North West for the Madrona Fiber Arts retreat in Tacoma, followed by a week with dad on Vancouver Island. I have been working on <a title="" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alvy" target="_blank">Alvy by Jared Flood </a>over the last year and actually finished it for Rhinebeck but I quickly realized the sleeves were freakishly long...like 4 inches too long.</p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">I did a wee bit of surgery on them in January and cut off the cuffs about 6 rows up from the cuff/sleeve transition. I untraveled about 2.5 inches of sleeve, picked up the stitches on the cuff and knit one round on the sleeve, decreasing the 2 stitches I needed to remove to have the same amount as the cuff. Then - I grafted the cuffs back on.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6C5EUrg5JF4K1HITdNV2v6QTW4eKhncAJyE7kIAualquLmTd2VWnzWF391ghJ_7IvQPF_M6XKhvbiEgiStPtScRNlBRbkgw5V-Aj83qTUejvg3aw3MVkIAQ7ciLLBoUrylWL/"><img class=" alignleft" title="Alvy2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6C5EUrg5JF4K1HITdNV2v6QTW4eKhncAJyE7kIAualquLmTd2VWnzWF391ghJ_7IvQPF_M6XKhvbiEgiStPtScRNlBRbkgw5V-Aj83qTUejvg3aw3MVkIAQ7ciLLBoUrylWL/" alt="" width="400" height="300" data-json="{\"requiresResize\":true}" /></a></div>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">I'll post better pictures when I get home but here are a few selfies taken in dad's backyard. BT Shelter is amazing to work with and I have lots in stash with many projects queued. </p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Next up (in Shelter) will be <a title="" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-25" target="_self">Aspen by Michele Wang</a> from her latest Capsule collection. This yarn is made for cables because it's so very light the garment never gets weighed down so - go nuts!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Catch you on the flip side when I get back home. I bought lots of lovely stuff this trip and can't wait to knit it. </p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4xH3ljvWEFS4zbTo5b3T0xynOqjJG5YVfGQ7-DXAIpJ3Ht6OM6n2tLEQSh7ABJp1H889nOn1jbUnRvciemDj-5sRV9cLjHY16H3-toeH-u2QGhiKISXqGoYcQVbt0f5tktMK/"><img class=" alignright" title="Alvy3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4xH3ljvWEFS4zbTo5b3T0xynOqjJG5YVfGQ7-DXAIpJ3Ht6OM6n2tLEQSh7ABJp1H889nOn1jbUnRvciemDj-5sRV9cLjHY16H3-toeH-u2QGhiKISXqGoYcQVbt0f5tktMK/" alt="" width="400" height="533" data-json="{\"requiresResize\":true}" /></a></div>
<p class="blogsyText" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; background-image: url('file:///var/containers/Bundle/Application/BBB684F1-EEC0-415A-ACC9-49799845894E/Blogsy.app/typing_icon.png'); background-size: 10px 25px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"> </p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-62848105473426418502017-02-05T13:47:00.000-08:002017-02-05T13:47:01.461-08:00Is This Thing On? tap tap tapIt's been over a year since I posted to this blog and as Inigo Montoya said in the Princess Bride…"No time to s'plain - let me sum up". Life was busy, work was busy, then work shifted so I now find myself on sabbatical. Presumably; I now have time to navel-gaze, knit, spin and blog. Then I discovered I couldn't access the blog but I finally got things sorted out. I'm taking a break from the wine industry but will still link beautiful wines to the projects I highlight here. There are a few I have yet to unveil but thought I'd start today with my latest yarn obsession from <a href="https://thebluebrick.ca/">The Blue Brick</a>. The yarn is a DK weight and called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/the-blue-brick-escarpment">Escarpment</a>. The colour way is named Aurora and is designed as an ombre gradient shading gently through the colours. I made the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tito">Tito hat</a> which is a free pattern on Ravelry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07PHtSKXH5nSJHofyi95jOTNTO854yR0nUT2aRPSzR9vAVu8cS2c5YKtKEeu5Fx1yv20-DVvGbOSenADCevHNZsiSEugMxInXPRCHLyN4aeS4PycDvPsqDrO52BNQu4b_i25R/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07PHtSKXH5nSJHofyi95jOTNTO854yR0nUT2aRPSzR9vAVu8cS2c5YKtKEeu5Fx1yv20-DVvGbOSenADCevHNZsiSEugMxInXPRCHLyN4aeS4PycDvPsqDrO52BNQu4b_i25R/s320/IMG_1665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a great take-along project and quick gratification. I'm embracing the satisfaction of knitting accessories. </div>
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I've been wearing it on my long walks in the woods with my trusty K-9 Phoebe. For the moment, resting, being present and recharging the batteries is where I need to be.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonno4Qea_N-bxElOMIJgHiO6TsqqlvpNKYcA3B_UvR1-pz0dHEqTcUbrRE2Cta0ma-G48Zjxh86sXDtqf7p-Gy-FkuM9_frQAOkmJjdkItnDRH_LTuR80OIVV6_kNlZvmCYyA/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonno4Qea_N-bxElOMIJgHiO6TsqqlvpNKYcA3B_UvR1-pz0dHEqTcUbrRE2Cta0ma-G48Zjxh86sXDtqf7p-Gy-FkuM9_frQAOkmJjdkItnDRH_LTuR80OIVV6_kNlZvmCYyA/s320/IMG_1201.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm getting ready to go to the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat in Washington State mid month. In celebration of this and all things I've always admired about Washington State but especially these days - I've picked up a beautiful bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Substance Wines.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF9j8DOFh0OyUCxKVj4WynpdJJ2aYEhMdvYCxZfzm9jDt7DbIRZJMNQCHgNJqG80dSIX9Hf87WdcsWyKqOa4WUsNKnrKI1PYssbg_aOID-MrMb6kcQF0Kng9OozwKgtYv0K8F/s1600/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF9j8DOFh0OyUCxKVj4WynpdJJ2aYEhMdvYCxZfzm9jDt7DbIRZJMNQCHgNJqG80dSIX9Hf87WdcsWyKqOa4WUsNKnrKI1PYssbg_aOID-MrMb6kcQF0Kng9OozwKgtYv0K8F/s320/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Much like the people of Washington -It's a classy and refined wine but you can taste a beautifully restrained power that was perfect with last night's tenderloin and will be again with tonight's pork tenderloin. This is a cool climate wine so they are structured and don't over power the food. It's juicy and gorgeous. </div>
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So my friends - if you're still with me…I'm grateful. I intend to use this time wisely and showing up here more often is part of the grand plan.</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-52595454767115107392016-01-09T19:54:00.003-08:002016-01-09T22:02:05.567-08:00When all else fails...lower your standards
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">My grand plan to post more frequently in 2016 didn't quite pan out. When life moves at warp speed, only the top 5 things tend to get done. As it turns out - I have a significant FO to reveal. You'll recall that I was working on the Swedish Heartwarmer Shawl out of Bugga. The colours I chose are below. Tomato Frog, Blue Metalmark, Sooty Dancer and Bog Fritillary.</div>
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<br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDAzpUefeJpTgrDj_l7ltvrN7Jt_ozJ2PnCEnE0ohFHY3Mnd7x3Ecss-Y_vpDPvn1cwT07PLfCGRNw_br_JixPQNUXytAi99e8QKuXATQIwF2b_ShKkFJcCyWNp-HLIE6QfFU/s240/Photo%25252020160109205238038.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDAzpUefeJpTgrDj_l7ltvrN7Jt_ozJ2PnCEnE0ohFHY3Mnd7x3Ecss-Y_vpDPvn1cwT07PLfCGRNw_br_JixPQNUXytAi99e8QKuXATQIwF2b_ShKkFJcCyWNp-HLIE6QfFU/s264/Photo%25252020160109205238038.jpg" id="blogsy-1452405530085.9832" class="alignright" alt="" width="264" height="264"></a>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">I cast on several years ago and became bored with the stockinette section. With a little help from Dr. Steph, the colourwork finally showed up and I became completely enamoured. <a href="http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/swedish-heartwarmer-shawl/" target="_self" title="">She has a fabulous video </a>on her blog to show how to knit and strand backwards. It made a huge difference in how the project flowed.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">I finally finished it 5 hours before Rhinebeck opened. Those French Knots almost did me in but they really finish the shawl beautifully. Here's the shawl amongst the autumn leaves in Rhinebeck. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJelegQAe_XBMFkMpDcjs1tmebNtn1WmyiK78X9GinPcZRw3emmI8_UG5odJzXfVJG0iY-XK1vM9vTjcgz59PbB4AhA82Zr3xpnuQJ292wDtR14Z1C7zTGs3quY1KrTvAaV0a/s640/Photo%25252020160110003309418.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJelegQAe_XBMFkMpDcjs1tmebNtn1WmyiK78X9GinPcZRw3emmI8_UG5odJzXfVJG0iY-XK1vM9vTjcgz59PbB4AhA82Zr3xpnuQJ292wDtR14Z1C7zTGs3quY1KrTvAaV0a/s392/Photo%25252020160110003309418.jpg" id="blogsy-1452405530055.2957" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="392" height="523"></a></div>
<p> Here's me modeling the shawl. The Agent Carter hat was purchased at <a href="http://www.beauchapeau.com" target="_blank" title="">Beau Chapeau in Niagara on the Lake.</a></p>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">And Judy gets to wear it most days but it allows me to display it so I can see it daily - not store it in a closet or something. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;">I have lots of exciting things to blog about. Madrona is coming up, I have a lovely Hansen mini spinner and I've just registered for the <a href="http://www.rosevalleytextiles.com/weaving-workshop-registration/" target="_blank" title="">Weaving Workshop by</a> Rose Valley Textiles. Hopefully, blogging can make it higher up on the list this year.</div>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-14370485166005666302015-01-02T18:21:00.001-08:002015-01-02T18:21:32.918-08:00Begin as you mean to go on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/15994389507/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8645/15994389507_9349b8f6f6.jpg" id="blogsy-1420251693356.0188" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><p>I imagine that this is the point where I say that I intend to make 2015 the year I blog regularly! Of course that's what I intend to do but in all honesty - I might or I might not. You see, the one thing I can say about 2015 is that I intend to spend less time fretting about what I should be doing and more time getting on with it. Blogging will happen...or not as things unfold.</p><p>I can say that 2014 wasn't my most favourite of years. Not the worst but definitely a difficult one. January brought us news of my mother in law's sudden death and we raced to Quebec for the funeral. The winter was (as Katy from the Stitch Sisters podcast points out) "Game of Thrones bad". Our son was diagnosed with Lupus in April and work, while still wonderful, has at times been..."Game of Thrones challenging".</p><p>On the upside - I had a great time at Madrona in February and then a magical time at Rhinebeck. I got a new car, we saw Fleetwood Mac live in concert and renovated the kitchen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/15992602740/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/15992602740_6c6fce49e4_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1420251693377.6072" class="alignleft" alt="" width="350" height="350"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/15560129453/" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: start;">I also wove a shawl for the competition - inspired by the colours in an Aurora Borealis.</span><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/15560129453_92009ec3f1_n.jpg" id="blogsy-1420251693340.3962" class="alignright" alt="" width="350" height="350"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Through it all, my fibre pursuits kept me grounded and gave me joy. I made a custom fit cardigan but my measurements were off so it wasn't a success. I'm now making <a href="http://www.amyherzogdesigns.com/portfolio/cardigans/tucci/" target="_blank" title="">Tucci - also an Amy Herzog design</a> and also a Custom Fit pattern. I'm using Indigodragonfly Polwarth Silk in "Is that a bird in your hand or are you just happy to see me?" (Club colourway) and "You Punched the Highlights out of her Hair" as the contrast. I love knitting with it so much I had to make the front panels twice. Long story but they are currently blocking and I should have an FO soon.<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/15992547658/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15992547658_baa7b19365.jpg" id="blogsy-1420251693348.478" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="300" height="224"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/15994390277/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/15994390277_ff67e9f7b9_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1420251693406.529" class="alignnone" alt="" width="232" height="350"></a></div><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/16179980505/" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="" id="blogsy-1420251693413.4985" class="alignright" width="102" height="127" alt=""></a>I got a new spinning wheel - that does deserve its own post and I adore it. The wheel was made by Andrew Watson and is a Kirsten Wheel crafted from Black Walnut and Hollywood accents. Spins. Like. A .Dream. I spun some Polwarth Silk to christen the Kirsten. Then I made the Botanical Shawl by Alana Dakos...and gave myself Tennis Elbow getting it done for the Five Counties competition.</p><p>Oh yeah, and we competed in The Royal Winter Fair Sheep to Shawl competition. Our team name...Agents of Sheep. Aren't we bad ass? We actually got re-tweeted by <a href="http://clarkgregg" target="_blank" title="">Clark Gregg!</a> We came in 5th out of 9 teams. We done good.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/16154178016/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/16154178016_3dc34fcd5a.jpg" id="blogsy-1420251693408.8442" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="400" height="300"></a></div><p>As I contemplate which project to tackle in 2015 - I find myself coming full circle. Several years ago, I bought some Bugga to make the Swedish Heartwarmer shawl. My buddy Steph made one<a href="http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/2010/10/the-nicest-thing-ive-ever-knit.html" target="_blank" title=""> that is so dangerously gorgeous it's show-stopping</a>. This year at Rhinebeck, we struck a deal...she would finish the plain stockinette I was stalled on and I would get on with it. And so- I am now working on the first pattern repeat and I'm even knitting and stranding backwards (<a href="http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/2010/09/rhinebeck-project.html" target="_blank" title="">check out Steph's how-to video here)</a>. The shawl's design depicts the long dark winter (plain stockinette) emerging into the sun's return, followed by blue skies, roses and summer. It seems fitting that I come back to this project now. Years that end in "5" tend to be good ones so knitting myself into the sun is exactly how I mean to go on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/15994391087/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/15994391087_f9d65bfb65_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1420251693364.3015" class="alignleft" width="336" height="450" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-32213210716196490302014-07-27T09:12:00.001-07:002014-07-27T19:48:23.736-07:00Orange you glad I didn't say Sparkling?
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<p>I have made an excutive decision. I've decided to devote the following year to an exploration of sparkling wine. I have the privilge of working in the wine industry and for a winery that makes amazing sparkling wine but I want to go deep. My plan is to roam with my taste buds seeking out sparkling wines from all over the world to taste and research. Rather than keeping my notes in some dusty journal - I thought I'd document them here. Of course, the yarn pairings will be part of it so this could take some interesting turns.</p>
<p>I thought I would start with one of the classics...Veuve Clicquot. This is one of the oldest Champagne houses started around the time of the French Revolution. It was built to promenence by a woman named Barbe-Nicole Clicquot - also known as "The Widow Clicquot" (Veuve means widow in French). Generally, using the word widow in the name of a product isn't adivised unless you're marketing black veils or Kleenex. This Champagne is made in the traditional method meaning the second fermentation occurs in the bottle. It has amazing notes of baked apple, warm bread and a crisp finish. I had my glass with pear slices and Cheddar Cheese.</p>
<p>As a marketer, I've long envied the way Veuve Clicquot is so closely aligned with the distictive colour of yellow/orange. The colour was first used on the bottle labels in the late 1800's to make it easier to see in the dark cellars. For those keeping score, Pantone 137C is its closest match.</p>
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<p> I happened to visit Julie at the <a href="http://www.needleemporium.com" target="_blank" title="">Needle Emporium</a> yesterday and on the 45 min drive to her store, I was listening the "The Widow Clicquot" audiobook. If you love history and wine - I highly recommend it.</p>
<p>With orange on the brain and a desire to make<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reverie-3" target="_blank" title=""> this lovely new design </a> (Ravelry link) by Julia Trice called Reverie; I was drawn to the new yarn line Julie carries called Mrs. Crosby. The line has a beautiful sport weight yarn called Hat Box (merino, silk, cashmere) with a shade of orangy/yellow that's Veuviliciously amazing. It's called Spicy Habanero.</p>
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<p> Sparkling wine is alive, complex and like Post It Notes and Penicillin, the result of a mistake that actually turned into something beautiful. If that isn't a metaphor for knitting, I don't know what is.</p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-66562756560805644792014-01-11T14:28:00.001-08:002014-01-11T14:28:53.450-08:00The Big Schlep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/11895717806/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/11895717806_961029e929.jpg" id="blogsy-1389479333447.0374" class="alignleft" alt="" width="359" height="238"></a></div>
<p> This past autumn was a whirlwind of finishing. September presented our ususal 5 Counties guild competition. We were assigned a piece of art for our inspiration. We were assigned this tea pot.</p>
<p>Our guild thought the tea pot was quite whimsical so we chose an Alice in Wonderland theme. Combining the colours of the tea pot with the Alice theme - I decided to make a twill scarf from the cover of the book Twill Thrills. It featured a heart design with snowflakes in between. The original design was black and red but I took the blue and pink from the tea pot to create my scarf.</p>
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<p>The lovely <a href="http://www.janestaffordtextiles.com" target="_blank" title="Jane Stafford">Jane Stafford</a> recommended this fine silk 30/2 and the colours Blue Suede shoes (second from right) and Passion Fruit (far right pink).</p>
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<p> The yarn is 10% silk and it was tricky to warp but boy does the shuttle fly on the smooth silk and does the pattern ever glow!</p>
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<p> Here is a glamour shot my husband took of the scarf with his Nikon D7000 and one of me wearing it taken with my iPhone. I love wearing it and as always learned a lot about weaving and about my own creative process. Sometimes a few parameters make for some pretty great results and that's whaat competitions like this teach us.</p>
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<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-3945704872261799812013-06-07T20:58:00.001-07:002013-06-07T20:58:09.438-07:00Princess meet Pumpkin<p> It's hard to believe that 8 glorious days have come and gone. This trip has been just what the doctor ordered. For different reasons, my father and I are in a very similar place emotionally. We are both busy taking care of others and get very little time to just chill and do what we want to do. For the last week - it's just been the two of us. We've sometimes gone for hours without speaking. We've talked politics, family and taken long walks and sipped wine. The weather has been glorious. And now; I have to get up at 3:30 am to catch a plane back to Toronto. On the up side - I'll adjust back to Ontario time quickly.</p>
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<p>The other thing we did was shop. Dad was very generous in taking me to my favourite fibre haunts. The first stop was to see <a href="http://www.janestaffordtextiles.com/" target="_blank" title="">Jane Stafford</a> on Salt Spring Island. Her weaving retreats are amazing. I've taken her pushing the boundaries of plain weave and would love to take the one on colour theory. I picked up some cones of her organic cotton to make dish towels. These are some of the happiest colours I've ever seen and Jane kindly wrote out the warping order for her dish towels.</p>
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<p>In Nanaimo at Ewe Knit, I bought a skein of Shepherd Sock by Lorna's Laces. This is a beautiful tonal yarn in greens called Skyway. I keep thinking it's called "Skyfall" instead so I think I'll rename it. It's somewhat manly so I'm hoping to make a pair of socks for dad (shhhhhh).</p>
<p>Lastly, I stopped in the Loom yarn store in Duncan BC. I snagged 17 balls of the recently, dearly departed Rowan Denim. I've always coveted the Mary cardigan from the original Rowan Denim book. It's apparently a nightmare of a pattern with lots of errors and one size only but it's gorgeous and this shade of blue is stunning.</p>
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<p>We'll see if I can keep up the blogging when I get home. The bloggin app helps - just gotta make the time.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-3890406733346749822013-06-05T15:15:00.001-07:002013-06-05T15:24:49.523-07:00Blue Skies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/8962862605/" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/8962862605_28a3a4aeb6.jpg" id="blogsy-1370471069776.3066" class="alignright" alt="" width="390" height="260"></a></div>
<p> I can't quite believe that it's now day 6 of my vacation. Somewhere around 9:23 Monday night I managed to begin to decompress and detach. Not checking work e mails on my iPhone helps. I can't really be that important.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/royale-2" target="_blank" title="">Royale by Glenna C</a> is blossoming into a beautiful sweater. I'm working with an Aran weight yarn by <a href="http://www.indigodragonfly.com" target="_blank" title="">Indigodragonfly</a> in the colourway "Then Buffy Staked Edward...The end.". It's a lovely, smoky teal with kisses of a purple veil. I'm alternating skeins to ensure an even distribution of the variegation. This is a semi-solid shade but I</p>
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<p>like to ensure that pooling is mitigated by alternating skeins. This project and I had a few false starts. It was totally me. The pattern is just fine - very well written. I just kept losing my focus when I cast on. First I dropped a stitch and then tried to pick it up and didn't like it. Then I used the wrong size needles for the ribbing. Next I twisted the join and didn't notice for several rounds. I think I made every mistake twice and the sixth time I cast on seemed to be a charm. I'm zipping along and all seems fine. The twisted stitches are lovely and I can't wait to finish it. I had a chance to try on Glenna's sample a couple of years ago at Rhinebeck. It's one sexy sweater!Every morning I've taken to trekking down to the waterfront near where dad lives. The incline is about 80 degrees so walking back up offers a nice workout. This morning I decided to go and sit by the water and listen to my favourite knitting podcast <a href="http://knit1geek2.mt-pockets.org/" target="_blank" title="">Knit 1 Geek 2 </a>whilst working on Royale. Knit 1 Geek 2 is hosted by a couple of my knit night buddies Karen and Maggie. If you haven't listened to it yet - go for it. You'll enjoy it I promise.</p>
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<p>I took a few glamour shots of Royale by the ocean. I'm taking advantage of this time to play with my camera a bit more. I have a D3100 by Nikon. It's more camera than I need right now but I'm hoping to grow into it. I took this shot of this lovely orange flower because I liked the way it looked next to the rocks. I'm playing with depth of field too - hence the slightly out of focus background. Here is Royale beside the orange flowers just to tie it all together.</p>
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<p>I ended up sitting by the water for a couple of hours. I say it was the fabulous view, podcast and knitting project but truth be told - I was not looking forward to the walk back up. </p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-5841246983628459772013-06-02T14:44:00.001-07:002013-06-02T14:44:49.246-07:00Gone Fishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/8928873983/" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/8928873983_a12515c2aa_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1370209487402.4385" class="alignright" width="277" height="370" alt=""></a></div>
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<p> I'm a bad,bad blogger...but then you knew that already. Life continues to roll at warp speed. I fall down the rabbit hole at regular intervals. I work - long hours and have a busy family life. My fibrey pursuits often take a back seat to duty (sigh). </p>
<p>Currently, however- I'm off the grid. I've flown to Vancouver Island for a week to hang out with dad and sleep and knit. Dad prodded me earlier today to blog more so as I sit on a sunny coffee house patio it occurs to me that this might be a bloggable moment. Here is my sock. Yes...you read that right. A. Sock. I've only ever finished one pair and I gifted those when I needed a last minute present. I believe that the holy trinity of pattern, needles and yarn make for a successful finish. If the pattern is too boring or too complicated- other things will attract me. I think I've found the right combo. Here I have Turtle Purl sock yarn in the Purple Purl anniversary colourway. The needles are the lovely Signature double points (expensive but worth it) and the pattern is the Vanilla Latte sock by Virginia-Rose Jeanes. </p>
<p>Blissfully alone with the sunshine, my latte and my knitting. Life's good.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-47777644997463206842012-11-02T18:26:00.001-07:002012-11-03T05:00:20.339-07:00La Kane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvxjGHdKHNKcTxxTonNefPLrn8f4Affj6fDXVL4H2-gDvi1izNzijOZh-h_j0g7RyB7t_uCBxM6qRd6kKv9dmlWrg_lD5rmVFa5PDtL4noSe-YexGVAReheU7e-b5VTHOfm21/s678/Photo%252520Oct%25252028%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A48%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvxjGHdKHNKcTxxTonNefPLrn8f4Affj6fDXVL4H2-gDvi1izNzijOZh-h_j0g7RyB7t_uCBxM6qRd6kKv9dmlWrg_lD5rmVFa5PDtL4noSe-YexGVAReheU7e-b5VTHOfm21/s268/Photo%252520Oct%25252028%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A48%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1351943938643.4834" class="alignleft" width="268" height="404" alt=""></a></div>
I used to wear a lot of red in the eighties. I guess it was the Nancy Reagan effect. I've settled into a nice easy world of blues and greens in recent years so when I saw <a href="http://www.chicknits.com/catalog/derica-kane.html" target="_self" title="">Derica Kane by Chic Knits</a>...I was surprised to realize I wanted it. In red. <br/><br/>I found a lovely rose red in Tosh DK in a shade called Byzantine at the <a href="http://www.needleemporium.com" target="_self" title="Needle Emporium">Needle Emporium.</a> This is my first Chic Knits pattern but it certainly won't be my last. It's just interesting enough to keep your attention yet repetitive enough to take along. I enjoyed every stitch of it.<br/><br/> I bought some lovely Michael and Sheila Ernst buttons at Rhinebeck last year which truly make the sweater extra special.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y6b3smM7RyGtP6Ifo-lNTOZr27mUeq3sb_8zdNDN1oIznkdZEyRyL0yatzvQDIAqyrJHyTX9gSiqrl4u4yROisepODGAoqHcaYx2uxTGubH0yLenuwCBFZh5N2MJXvvVsgBl/s720/Photo%252520Nov%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A07%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y6b3smM7RyGtP6Ifo-lNTOZr27mUeq3sb_8zdNDN1oIznkdZEyRyL0yatzvQDIAqyrJHyTX9gSiqrl4u4yROisepODGAoqHcaYx2uxTGubH0yLenuwCBFZh5N2MJXvvVsgBl/s244/Photo%252520Nov%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A07%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1351943938611.9385" class="alignright" width="244" height="326" alt=""></a></div>
This was my Rhinebeck sweater this year ( more on that trip to come soon) and it was fun to show the Ernsts their buttons on the sweater. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABmGoD3sQMR2EjQWlgbL1h96blpLkca9aUbFyhHfMjnBWJDEv3DO-dgok6cjJSY3FnFFPYdD7u99KoZzeAiho0iRjvLL7U97JRpanJF-CQe6Hm0gR6lVqugtmyWwovMfh_eXm/s192/Photo%252520Nov%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABmGoD3sQMR2EjQWlgbL1h96blpLkca9aUbFyhHfMjnBWJDEv3DO-dgok6cjJSY3FnFFPYdD7u99KoZzeAiho0iRjvLL7U97JRpanJF-CQe6Hm0gR6lVqugtmyWwovMfh_eXm/s192/Photo%252520Nov%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1351943938636.6433" class="alignleft" width="192" height="256" alt=""></a></div>
I'm having a blast wearing it with my red Fluevog boots. They are the Operetta Hjordis from last year.<br/><br/>I'm quite pleased with the number of FOs under my belt this year. Could a new sense of focus and dare I say project monogamy be afoot? <br/><br/> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp9J2g5CL098avxze2ALeCFdD6eaD0DAnmcilzWJvm_oty7LOdsPBkAxOAq1hjGbe6nytE5ytwosr8ETppfVBzTzblZJrwSWxppsq5V3mcikQRzmQFwWzJxPqOQ1edC0ZYFDJ/s678/Photo%252520Oct%25252028%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A54%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp9J2g5CL098avxze2ALeCFdD6eaD0DAnmcilzWJvm_oty7LOdsPBkAxOAq1hjGbe6nytE5ytwosr8ETppfVBzTzblZJrwSWxppsq5V3mcikQRzmQFwWzJxPqOQ1edC0ZYFDJ/s354/Photo%252520Oct%25252028%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A54%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1351943938675.5833" class="" width="354" height="535" alt=""></a></div>
Nah. Life's too short for an equally short queue.<br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-27765519242084001962012-10-02T20:00:00.001-07:002012-10-02T20:00:07.368-07:00Soaked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgPw6MCZNnS6P8s1NZve9Q_zoNH92Vn5c4fnZUJlXkJsxDb0zcbMpUtcFfBJS0RNLSxeH5VGBfIr-k-qpwZHC14KeJEkqR79IHcWXp4ghPb09hsmBenXnklVSbMh85lnXRNMd/s720/Photo%252520Sep%25252026%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A55%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgPw6MCZNnS6P8s1NZve9Q_zoNH92Vn5c4fnZUJlXkJsxDb0zcbMpUtcFfBJS0RNLSxeH5VGBfIr-k-qpwZHC14KeJEkqR79IHcWXp4ghPb09hsmBenXnklVSbMh85lnXRNMd/s290/Photo%252520Sep%25252026%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A55%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1349233164609.1116" class="alignleft" width="290" height="387" alt=""></a></div>
And now for something completely different.<br/><br/>Our house is 23 years old. I seems like yesterday that we stood in the builder's showroom choosing these cabinets and fixtures. Everything has been looking tired lately so it seemed like the right time to renovate and update the bathroom.<br/><br/>I envisioned shifting from the neutral earth tones we have here towards a rich, luxurious and dramatic colour palette.<br/><br/>I found a grey floor that I loved and from there pulled in subway tile and mosaic tile in natural stone tones of grey, burnt red, wheat and clear glass.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv9jo4HXBjCxmD6tq2hQjx95JfnCe_s_4Vs4eps_cBB8aKj4Hv75lZsUgEMj8JgjoVu_egwb-iIT33q8DHayu6C6sr7H6bpqF_k0MRt0iYYekytFP-Rrz_bgLBVDKKNIrjkvx/s720/Photo%252520Sep%25252026%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A55%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv9jo4HXBjCxmD6tq2hQjx95JfnCe_s_4Vs4eps_cBB8aKj4Hv75lZsUgEMj8JgjoVu_egwb-iIT33q8DHayu6C6sr7H6bpqF_k0MRt0iYYekytFP-Rrz_bgLBVDKKNIrjkvx/s250/Photo%252520Sep%25252026%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A55%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1349233164646.2212" class="" alt="" width="250" height="333"></a></div>
The tub , sink and too are white ( bye, bye almond tub and sink) so the contrast will be dramatic.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_Cyx5uCD2zUEsfhPy_T8-F4wTPhYDRvyEYIAeXh1yVZK-LYHw8nH8eg51aUJ0_c6AfG6dCcHddjm443ztCa_BGCiPktJo6EQ9SkQ2EVkfMUBOguePy15Ped_eQZaQdbspWcm/s720/Photo%252520Sep%25252026%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A39%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_Cyx5uCD2zUEsfhPy_T8-F4wTPhYDRvyEYIAeXh1yVZK-LYHw8nH8eg51aUJ0_c6AfG6dCcHddjm443ztCa_BGCiPktJo6EQ9SkQ2EVkfMUBOguePy15Ped_eQZaQdbspWcm/s356/Photo%252520Sep%25252026%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A39%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1349233164626.5156" class="alignleft" alt="" width="356" height="475"></a></div>
Day one, the tub and tile came out and the new tub was set in. We're coming up to one full week without the tub but showing at the health club has worked for all of us so far.<br/><br/>Hopefully, tomorrow it'll be done!<br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-12782124213358038412012-09-26T18:53:00.001-07:002012-09-26T19:03:09.772-07:00On a Roll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/8028299074/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8028299074_523bfba2eb_n.jpg" id="blogsy-1348711373635.3928" class="alignleft" alt="" width="314" height="419"></a></div>
I have another finished object! My shawl for our 5 Counties Guild challenge came off of the loom one week before the event.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Rz5npZPUiDjPccl8gzR-x3QKbgl8BScKlgXGmedh7hyphenhyphenmIvCiPLTz_JBE8VLFZm6TWuwU3yTWhoVWov4EwlODDXR6YNFK8qo6JPmWrj2_vgeMsE_kUnQYYKaVLLf5kYi9iUy2/s720/Photo%252520Sep%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A18%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Rz5npZPUiDjPccl8gzR-x3QKbgl8BScKlgXGmedh7hyphenhyphenmIvCiPLTz_JBE8VLFZm6TWuwU3yTWhoVWov4EwlODDXR6YNFK8qo6JPmWrj2_vgeMsE_kUnQYYKaVLLf5kYi9iUy2/s275/Photo%252520Sep%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A18%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1348711373634.2847" class="alignright" alt="" width="275" height="367"></a></div>
I've used a fine neutral warp with Classic Elite lace weight and my merino/ silk hand spun for the weft. The pattern is overshot the blooming leaf pattern.<br/><br/>This was a challenging project as the warp was very fine and sticky. I really struggled with it. In the end, the weight was perfect and the shawl draped perfectly. The displays looked beautiful as each guild was asked to choose an historical Time period to use as inspiration. Art Deco, the Arts and Crafts Movement were two time periods honored. <br/><br/>Our Guild chose 1812 to nod to the bicentennial of the war. The display looked great- my co-chair designed the display.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZYHo1zamSVIjVvIN5F9y3YAwFxhmaYPpnHi3YzjeSPVc0GZB0b57Ggu6gj0tdtJC4v5bI-2F1TdBlDftuoRmlTaFW69kxqWr829rsyoKGe8edKVPbMEjSRFBmpKJOR-n36bR/s720/Photo%252520Sep%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZYHo1zamSVIjVvIN5F9y3YAwFxhmaYPpnHi3YzjeSPVc0GZB0b57Ggu6gj0tdtJC4v5bI-2F1TdBlDftuoRmlTaFW69kxqWr829rsyoKGe8edKVPbMEjSRFBmpKJOR-n36bR/s321/Photo%252520Sep%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A15%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1348711373642.7363" class="alignright" alt="" width="321" height="428"></a></div>
Our keynote speaker was Judith Bowden, an amazing designer for the Shaw festival's production of My Fair Lady last year. She was kind enough to bing a few costumes for us to see. She shared with us her creative process. I immediately wanted to dust off my sewing machine.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASJyYHFyZB85PfOtIpIy45JxWHNuPCMn_16d4AvJrOD3ghYZFFBDxRIwHZXJ1WJuTiZQNaoc17tAowlXPGVpuK4GSrvhvUjwhzS2hg89_anXDh4NPfOuy1evEe6YlkBIbHU5r/s720/Photo%252520Sep%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A06%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASJyYHFyZB85PfOtIpIy45JxWHNuPCMn_16d4AvJrOD3ghYZFFBDxRIwHZXJ1WJuTiZQNaoc17tAowlXPGVpuK4GSrvhvUjwhzS2hg89_anXDh4NPfOuy1evEe6YlkBIbHU5r/s326/Photo%252520Sep%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A06%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1348711373626.256" class="alignnone" alt="" width="326" height="435"></a></div>
<br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-74006525141354725532012-09-18T17:55:00.001-07:002012-09-18T17:55:59.599-07:00A Special Delivery <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/8001511425/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8442/8001511425_8d5229d465_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1348016067115.7595" class="alignleft" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
The Willie sweater is done and has been presented to the expectant mom. <br/><br/>I love the little ear flap, the way the graphic wraps around the body. A YouTube video showed me how do a chain stitch for the collar.<br/><br/>I highly recommend this pattern. It's fast, cute and fun to knit. I can't quite believe that I got it done before the baby arrived. It feels good o have an FO...now onto my project for the 5 Counties weaving/ spinning competition this weekend.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/8001523954/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8001523954_3528d458d0_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1348016067129.8777" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/8001512560/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/8001512560_fee95e3020_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1348016067141.655" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-58441846367864291002012-09-02T10:33:00.001-07:002012-09-02T10:33:54.177-07:00Chunky yarn...small recipient I rarely knit for others because most people just don't "get" the effort and care that goes into knitting something. I also often can't finish things quickly due to my work schedule and babies do make their appearances eventually and grow quickly. However, I know a young lady who is expecting a baby soon and she " gets" it. I've been wanting to make <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/willie" target="_blank" title="">the Will</a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/willie" target="_blank" title=""></a>ie cardigan by Pamela Wynne for some time now so when I was in BC I grabbed the yarn and cast on.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/7914864880/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/7914864880_a5a6ac08f7.jpg" id="blogsy-1346607216470.105" class="alignleft" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div> It's been great knit night and take-along knitting. I love its Parisienne vibe. The Intarsia dog wraps around the body with an ear flap and embroidered chain for its neck still to come. The yarn is Patons Shetland Chunky super wash.<br/><br/>I think a jaunty beret would finish the ensemble nicely so I'll be looking for a pattern for that next.<br/><br/> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/7914849862/" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/7914849862_2efb7c41eb.jpg" id="blogsy-1346607216478.6487" class="" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-17386808266462660672012-08-27T22:01:00.000-07:002012-08-27T22:01:27.214-07:00La Kane Well, hello again! <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh107oYyV_xiEI_U1QSN1rMSCJUVthbMnCxAs_BnwMXP4rcaOVpb8PVZv9SxF8tcBdB2WQ9sv2zl7aecM-DOL-N7XxsH0DwNWuCyByWkh6M_K6vaeEa86gaxdPyoTxMHFM3xxzc/s1024/Photo%252520Apr%25252010%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A36%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh107oYyV_xiEI_U1QSN1rMSCJUVthbMnCxAs_BnwMXP4rcaOVpb8PVZv9SxF8tcBdB2WQ9sv2zl7aecM-DOL-N7XxsH0DwNWuCyByWkh6M_K6vaeEa86gaxdPyoTxMHFM3xxzc/s319/Photo%252520Apr%25252010%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A36%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1346130059933.854" class="alignright" alt="" width="319" height="286"></a></div> My absence fom blogging is largely due to my technological ineptness. You see- I started blogging from my iPad and then had trouble posting. This is my attempt at getting back in the game as it were.<br/><br/>I'm knitting, weaving, spinning and sipping great wine. My front- burner project is Derica Kane by Bonne Marie Burns. Here's Judy modeling the body. I've since finished th sleeves and am working on the yoke.<br/><br/>The yarn is Tosh DK in the Byzantine colour way. I love the design and the yarn is delicious to work with.<br/><br/>I'm sipping lots of Trius Red 2010 these days. The 2012 harvest has just begun and bodes to be another amazing one. I guess rich, bold reds are in my glass and on my needles.<br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-19039593331332836722012-01-23T20:29:00.001-08:002012-01-23T20:40:54.845-08:00Toot,toot, tootsie hello.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/6752205439" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7156/6752205439_7d536465f2_m.jpg" id="blogsy-1327380044096.9387" class="alignleft" alt="" width="239" height="500"></a></div><p> I bought some Toots LeBlanc merino/angora at Madrona fiber festival last year. Given the length of my knitting queue, I figured that it stood a better chance of becoming an FO as a woven object. I was supposed to create something for a competition ( eventually cancelled) using 3 colours from the OHS tartan. I chose azure, brown and white. I had to overdye the fawn shade with the azure and it came out the perfect shade.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/6729057087" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7014/6729057087_352d585893_m.jpg" id="blogsy-1327380044122.4595" class="alignright" alt="" width="323" height="215"></a></div><p>In my zeal to get the warp on the loom, I neglected to tie off the crosses and ended up with a tangled mess. Had it not been Toots LeBlanc, I might have given up. I took a few weeks to slowly sort the threads and to put them in place. The warp is brown and white, the weft blue and white. The pin wheel design is fun and beautiful. I got the pattern from the Handwoven best of scarves collection.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/6752207125" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7164/6752207125_73375f5ab2.jpg" id="blogsy-1327380044144.3699" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="448" height="299"></a></div><p>The cloth is beautiful, the yarn bloomed perfectly. </p><p>Colour me happy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/9640216@N02/6752206853" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7150/6752206853_7aeddcc8b4_m.jpg" id="blogsy-1327380044124.8357" class="alignleft" alt="" width="235" height="353"></a></div><p> </p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-51767325701878795712011-12-21T20:30:00.001-08:002011-12-21T20:30:34.419-08:00Blankie<div>I'm trying a new blogging app so we'll see how it goes. This is the baby Shane Blanket from Tanis Fiber Arts. </div><div><br></div><div>It's a fun knit.</div><div>Trust the colours- I had second, third and fourth thoughts about the colour combos but when they all fit together, they sang.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn1lnFP4Pkp_zwxdDy29Nd-4ASxM4f99Tbe19r94Csr0s95cmrN_U898JZnnMK0IUF8Jqzg3QrQpF1MIlAgbpEC68jdpXRwaC4DqiMhz7S_Gu3rq03SEFET675OcrLRbDtCkE/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252013%25252C%2525202011%2525209%25253A34%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn1lnFP4Pkp_zwxdDy29Nd-4ASxM4f99Tbe19r94Csr0s95cmrN_U898JZnnMK0IUF8Jqzg3QrQpF1MIlAgbpEC68jdpXRwaC4DqiMhz7S_Gu3rq03SEFET675OcrLRbDtCkE/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252013%25252C%2525202011%2525209%25253A34%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1324528097360.7207" class="alignleft" width="500" height="374" align="center" alt=""></a></div><div>Find the beauty in miles of garter stitch - the border is epic but it's the unifying force.</div><div>Whatever you do, don't start well into the pregnancy like I did. The baby was 2 months old when she finally got it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0wzkm61jZxZc0TtU9jQzDaIMYT8QioKRl0zNu-eLljdOmKz4birjqAKnuBr341lWU-2AhtsTl7m3dYfcGdjy_Yzqt4cdILfhC8NmzvKh1iEJmJqzLMYX1plBVg-OQPG___yS/" target="_self" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0wzkm61jZxZc0TtU9jQzDaIMYT8QioKRl0zNu-eLljdOmKz4birjqAKnuBr341lWU-2AhtsTl7m3dYfcGdjy_Yzqt4cdILfhC8NmzvKh1iEJmJqzLMYX1plBVg-OQPG___yS/s500/Photo%252520Dec%25252013%25252C%2525202011%2525209%25253A37%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1324528152362.08" class="alignnone" width="500" height="374" align="right" alt=""></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-63351963520534151932011-10-30T20:03:00.000-07:002011-10-30T20:22:40.826-07:00<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Summer</strong></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPjVCxxmxK8KhKB15ugk24VJKXQordUGLLoAxMOK3zvD5ngCj2_bq0R11OEF0pkw1dEa-aPqqdfiNaBUARaBE6MdSGEq3y-QxxAkjOXORhAOk2gRtgm3RanylOTdhZGdrTTLe/s1600/patioset.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669490160764949938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPjVCxxmxK8KhKB15ugk24VJKXQordUGLLoAxMOK3zvD5ngCj2_bq0R11OEF0pkw1dEa-aPqqdfiNaBUARaBE6MdSGEq3y-QxxAkjOXORhAOk2gRtgm3RanylOTdhZGdrTTLe/s320/patioset.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I think I promised all of you pictures of my finished backyard. Well, suffice it to say I thoroughly enjoyed my patio this summer. Here is the patio with interlocking brick and the patio set.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I also covered the pergola with some canvass sewn together with my serger. I placed some pretty tea lights under the canopy to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIpJYlHKx_ZhXE-8AnpSpeDGz4YEbKelh9XpxdPQbww6BDUIDL2YHWk5fCH6DEfkMKeeeLEPPCBcwG4QlCczbguv0K87f2nH4MDzGacNe0DDWbmgf14lsKjqTTiqqDUsJWMYQ/s1600/pergola.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669488940192646322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIpJYlHKx_ZhXE-8AnpSpeDGz4YEbKelh9XpxdPQbww6BDUIDL2YHWk5fCH6DEfkMKeeeLEPPCBcwG4QlCczbguv0K87f2nH4MDzGacNe0DDWbmgf14lsKjqTTiqqDUsJWMYQ/s320/pergola.JPG" /></a>create a ceiling of stars.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The plants are small right now but will fill in eventually. I got a Bloomerang Lilac (blooms 3 times a year apparently) but I fear it hasn't taken well. We'll find out in the spring.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqbGisj1D1UgBXbl29AXNA6oN5x9e9gPVSOrO2JZJThMi3wZEobNblvG_CQfHJiwOvJhUyXKlM_mJVlweN2RhCFNcMrAJFYLahnLo91tokbmKZBYZo1aVWQ3lsSh50ApIHngS/s1600/bloomerang.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669489099233941394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqbGisj1D1UgBXbl29AXNA6oN5x9e9gPVSOrO2JZJThMi3wZEobNblvG_CQfHJiwOvJhUyXKlM_mJVlweN2RhCFNcMrAJFYLahnLo91tokbmKZBYZo1aVWQ3lsSh50ApIHngS/s320/bloomerang.JPG" /></a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">August saw me attend Ontario's first Dinner en Blanc in Niagara on the Lake. It was spectacular. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM6UulYko1lCfH0dL7S_a-rMqlb9NQmsYEfAR9enrbcjl054ywj0tX5gB-tzKLeV0qTmrECTlXtSHUy0psIsSOhLJOruwbROpuinz4ORj0RM9yfejHHA2PSgjcCxEvWzOuatV/s1600/dinerenblanc.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669489456602306178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM6UulYko1lCfH0dL7S_a-rMqlb9NQmsYEfAR9enrbcjl054ywj0tX5gB-tzKLeV0qTmrECTlXtSHUy0psIsSOhLJOruwbROpuinz4ORj0RM9yfejHHA2PSgjcCxEvWzOuatV/s320/dinerenblanc.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E-nx714udW5-frJg_giEE75Cw_Jt1KaqBw_S9RyO3cXWs2sKe9XH2HBHFs-moNt1RAWqIM4G47vNRuYRWbzlX1GGzfT5Vtaj3MxqmzTNwuS10G_ur6TvYokeErVbJJXGXuof/s1600/maritime.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669490604478451730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E-nx714udW5-frJg_giEE75Cw_Jt1KaqBw_S9RyO3cXWs2sKe9XH2HBHFs-moNt1RAWqIM4G47vNRuYRWbzlX1GGzfT5Vtaj3MxqmzTNwuS10G_ur6TvYokeErVbJJXGXuof/s320/maritime.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I also managed to finish my Maritime cardigan. The pictures aren't the greatest but I'm so pleased it's done at last! It's hard to believe that November is almost here. Perhaps fewer distractions outside will help me focus on blogging more regularly!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-20480163975365040022011-06-27T18:19:00.000-07:002011-06-27T18:45:14.178-07:00<div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Knitting Al Fresco</span></strong></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">It would seem that one large home improvement project per year is the way we roll around here. Two <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUleP7dPVNhPA0U2oigZoxR9N8B0FnZsrMvwWPRt8G8ZGcqYrc56jd3Cm55qpJvb8PkbEnA1_U1b92qK-JPhv6v8VuAU-WXUzp52Ui0ka0U04jBOOKAjuP5kA_35M0meEAjic/s1600/_DSC0400.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 297px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623076967906209618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUleP7dPVNhPA0U2oigZoxR9N8B0FnZsrMvwWPRt8G8ZGcqYrc56jd3Cm55qpJvb8PkbEnA1_U1b92qK-JPhv6v8VuAU-WXUzp52Ui0ka0U04jBOOKAjuP5kA_35M0meEAjic/s320/_DSC0400.JPG" /></a>years ago it was the roof and last year...windows. Those were great but when they're done, you don't get anything new out of the deal just updated versions of what you already had. This year is different. As of tonight, I have large machinery in my back yard.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">For the last couple of years, I've plunked down a cheapo gazebo - the kind you get at Canadian Tire. It's been a great pla<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YqjP9bA8D3HJJbJ_pbCWGchNEVQn64Xc9Kp9aFahDhXPYGKjPG0hLhnJPR6tkSLrdYalV0XOxIfJHPIagNzBF5h5BQgGJXu95sL6KtqdIfF0yh20ee_Olp2LThAZq5oPSQMo/s1600/_DSC0403.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 247px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 171px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623077466516973922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YqjP9bA8D3HJJbJ_pbCWGchNEVQn64Xc9Kp9aFahDhXPYGKjPG0hLhnJPR6tkSLrdYalV0XOxIfJHPIagNzBF5h5BQgGJXu95sL6KtqdIfF0yh20ee_Olp2LThAZq5oPSQMo/s320/_DSC0403.JPG" /></a>ce to hang out on warm summer nights and surf the net or to knit. I had little white tea lights suspended from the roof of the gazebo to make it just a bit more magical. When it collapsed last fall, I decided to invest in an oasis of my own and to do some proper landscaping. So, this year - we're installing a patio, pergola and some gardens.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I had a very talented young landscape designer create the plan for me and now, we execute it. Here is day 1. th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhdq1nlSbcqgrs7vl5StEXD_BqzSUuirz3_-nnBR6YLOq1fkqiz9LFNiUNcbyYhjyyHd1ORQpn-tEH4C-9X6h_LolMnY41QGuefIMfxFzx8QGYkPsZ_ohvqWS5qLzwdk-rqlU/s1600/mahogash.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623078174854141538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhdq1nlSbcqgrs7vl5StEXD_BqzSUuirz3_-nnBR6YLOq1fkqiz9LFNiUNcbyYhjyyHd1ORQpn-tEH4C-9X6h_LolMnY41QGuefIMfxFzx8QGYkPsZ_ohvqWS5qLzwdk-rqlU/s320/mahogash.jpg" /></a>e digging has commenced and all looks good. The patio will be this brick and the pergola will look like this. I'll be buying the plants later this week and completing the final installation myself on Canada Day this Friday. If all goes well, I'll be sipping some of our new Trius Rose on my new patio this long weekend whilst working on my <a href="http://www.oneplanetyarnandfiber.com/Kowloon_Cardigan_Kit_p/ph-kit-kowlooncardigan.htm">Kowloon cardigan.</a> I did complete my Maritime cardi so look for pictures of that soon!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Stay tuned for an update as this oasis progresses.</span></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.oneplanetyarnandfiber.com/Kowloon_Cardigan_Kit_p/ph-kit-kowlooncardigan.htm"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623079079925175794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACYzx_CsdW89XgAl1uBZ3UjYU7i2AYO3ZjpmFYY-HLF8U4rGKtk9Q4BAdsU4J9fFnsvBs1WDk23GQOAfmQOyH0TRcupDCiGOPn6yvqf4DEp8DkRuss8QQ6hzVFhlY3p9KbDGM/s320/PergolaBuildingPlanGIF.gif" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-48155342141521354092011-05-23T18:37:00.000-07:002011-05-23T19:24:34.608-07:00<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Time Machine</strong></span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I wish I had one. Wow - my last post was Jan. 30 so here I am four months later finally posting again. I have a new job managing a winery with the same company I've been with for the last six years. It's exciting and busy...hence the lack of blogging. Hallet's Ledge is coming along nicely and the second sleeve it about 2/3 done so just the button and neck bands to do after the arms are attached.</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Spring has been slow to arrive but now that it's finally here - I'm jonseing for some warm weather knits.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwR6DDx4M9X7gofJT6Wlp-xAI0_hL3X-ZuqStd6P2bXlNhYjJI55oXdqkW5XHWNXcAoCGt85We-Tsb-kEC9NwaiY9uxFkBhSJbHxahUzEwExZkwYAWBjBS5RCCWgURxmbc0Dh/s1600/hepburn.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610097730433974034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwR6DDx4M9X7gofJT6Wlp-xAI0_hL3X-ZuqStd6P2bXlNhYjJI55oXdqkW5XHWNXcAoCGt85We-Tsb-kEC9NwaiY9uxFkBhSJbHxahUzEwExZkwYAWBjBS5RCCWgURxmbc0Dh/s320/hepburn.JPG" /></a></span></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In particular, I'm quite taken with the new book from Fibrespates called Scrumptious Knittin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c52BEyjjsw7VNoBX1FxP8XLggUxUofTBmHHfpIO-pBGMfSeAH6mEVxpibXuWVrhJKhSuP3iGiM2LxYy8fzj3UR_P3ZXOBpFSHJDDQG8ui-ckkAiBtZmlpHvWULJ26UgvkSl_/s1600/Graciebig.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610096834483144642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c52BEyjjsw7VNoBX1FxP8XLggUxUofTBmHHfpIO-pBGMfSeAH6mEVxpibXuWVrhJKhSuP3iGiM2LxYy8fzj3UR_P3ZXOBpFSHJDDQG8ui-ckkAiBtZmlpHvWULJ26UgvkSl_/s320/Graciebig.bmp" /></a>g. This lovely cardigan is made from some laceweight. I have some Hepburn from Abstract Fiber in a shade called "Big Girl Pink". This is the pink that was mentioned on the Knitmore Girl's Podcast. Now the two skeins are quite differently shaded so I'm either going to have to alternate every other row or shade from dark to light.</span></div><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysrPaJIi2kWBAt5FsUmL10_wey-udeQokkgBd0w7jXf5fcizfVMz-vGQLEKFYxDIUFb2ia4W_x4QqlFd16xDqQ5ulYgtPRqqRn2fK_OE4PaMYHiepMgim_xHXiVim2garz-bo/s1600/scrumptiouslacysweater.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610099344021573698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysrPaJIi2kWBAt5FsUmL10_wey-udeQokkgBd0w7jXf5fcizfVMz-vGQLEKFYxDIUFb2ia4W_x4QqlFd16xDqQ5ulYgtPRqqRn2fK_OE4PaMYHiepMgim_xHXiVim2garz-bo/s320/scrumptiouslacysweater.jpg" /></a>I also love this lacy cardigan from the same book. My stash of Green Stinkbug Skinny Bugga will be perfect for this one too. I bought it to make the Austin Hoodie but ended up getting the Tosh Merino Light anyway.</span></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS70mh6tu9_CvLvjD03ko8JjxG3JMJDOIQWyl_Rn9P0i4ggOl5IWmlKV8go4eQ-PCjQvjawh8xbeDyj_sLbu2FSI_fMQrOL_9Nt2_tjP4XBje2CBLTczVUHjqzaRPzzaaoU29/s1600/stinkbug.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610099659817817938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS70mh6tu9_CvLvjD03ko8JjxG3JMJDOIQWyl_Rn9P0i4ggOl5IWmlKV8go4eQ-PCjQvjawh8xbeDyj_sLbu2FSI_fMQrOL_9Nt2_tjP4XBje2CBLTczVUHjqzaRPzzaaoU29/s320/stinkbug.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jcQ_evJprZdksprso8AOFSqAQmLYu2JNRxnMbRwR0eh_tPnqqPr3EnmfrgjAmLo4XxV8UvsIKnELQfPjB7taoKKGInbkMPGsKksiFRUMS94A2kO5cvcUwCdCXrgV7mDBYM3X/s1600/desert.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610101918021051874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jcQ_evJprZdksprso8AOFSqAQmLYu2JNRxnMbRwR0eh_tPnqqPr3EnmfrgjAmLo4XxV8UvsIKnELQfPjB7taoKKGInbkMPGsKksiFRUMS94A2kO5cvcUwCdCXrgV7mDBYM3X/s320/desert.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm plugging away on a garter stitch vest called Desert from the Savannah book from Rowan. The lilac shade is so pretty and the strips of garter stitch are a welcome diversion when my brain is fried. With a new job there's lots of information to cram in so many nights - I'm only good for <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjaN_XEENOpfBuaBqMsLYrRs38zjPISybUWF1ndDOefHCE8jt9r0rNj_DfekaV9Jw73J5gifqlZmt6YhzQCkZ-_nZ-LgwPomWBhLOxddmiEevWfkvgvP9NmhhQlsh31gO-uGf/s1600/savannah.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610102197998109474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjaN_XEENOpfBuaBqMsLYrRs38zjPISybUWF1ndDOefHCE8jt9r0rNj_DfekaV9Jw73J5gifqlZmt6YhzQCkZ-_nZ-LgwPomWBhLOxddmiEevWfkvgvP9NmhhQlsh31gO-uGf/s320/savannah.JPG" /></a>garter stitch. The strips are knit one way and then the other way with a yoke of short rows to finish it off.</span></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm excited about my trip to BC in a couple of weeks so stay tuned for lots of nice pictures as I hook up with a couple of knitting buddies in Vancouver. I'll certainly need to learn how to blog from my iPad.</span></div></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-24521214605345088862011-01-30T16:06:00.000-08:002011-01-30T16:23:48.950-08:00<div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Out on a Ledge</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I do enjoy blogging - really I do! You'd never know it from the infrequent posts last year but it's been a busy but good year. Amongst all of the craziness is still yarn. And although I dabble in several fibre arts - knitting remains my first love. I fell head over heals in love with <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/83-fall-2010-patterns/698-halletts-ledge-by-elinor-brown"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hallett's</span> Ledge </a>from the Fall 2010 Twist Collective. I find cables so soothing and zen - I always find myself thinking I must do more when I'm working on a cabled project.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I do so love the Rowan Felted Tweed and couldn't pass up a chance to use it for this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQnQ3qVa6RSAatbaQHtXbZYu2UAyYUACzuubjVcMUkIcOPsC2dok-5K-fGXQQgF8_o2PORYQ9NMsfYiJFsbjB8JmR0WpieYACcPMtxEauai_DxiUy_NkHOFjcOj-RwhsrB1SC/s1600/Hallettclose.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568138062541604386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQnQ3qVa6RSAatbaQHtXbZYu2UAyYUACzuubjVcMUkIcOPsC2dok-5K-fGXQQgF8_o2PORYQ9NMsfYiJFsbjB8JmR0WpieYACcPMtxEauai_DxiUy_NkHOFjcOj-RwhsrB1SC/s320/Hallettclose.JPG" /></a>sign. I got a new <a href="http://nikon.ca/en/Product.aspx?m=17310&gclid=CK3i-6SV46YCFce7KgodFw3G3Q">Nikon D3100 </a>for Christmas so I've been playing with it a bit. I'm no Jared Flood but here are my attempts at showing the beautiful texture of the design as well as the flecks of caramel and icy blue that highlight the ivy shade of Felted Tweed. I'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBlenio-yX1kOF55o9L16LujSDPRwMZ3UqZOwiz14tbV7ba-D1sB4U3qPlN8DBX8Wl8bgKwJCwY-PjqsIRS-9XIn1DU3OwHeZkwNx23Q1eS31ZGhxpNrL4m1vIxTqq1NeS9x9/s1600/hallett.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568138516852082178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBlenio-yX1kOF55o9L16LujSDPRwMZ3UqZOwiz14tbV7ba-D1sB4U3qPlN8DBX8Wl8bgKwJCwY-PjqsIRS-9XIn1DU3OwHeZkwNx23Q1eS31ZGhxpNrL4m1vIxTqq1NeS9x9/s320/hallett.JPG" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> actually manged to remain <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">monogamous</span> since crawling out on "the ledge". It's just that satisfying.</span></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nsf_5E9V0Q18H6qfYSH9AKndIZKVKE0jmhCCEi9gqF7WTrjSPogo_iUvaLUFbDM1CCE3AVH1DREwFxQh6XOdEVNLQTUgazeRJOsLaCiwwxXpXQt2_7s0kT3xJdK-CHLvX9Aj/s1600/halletjudy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568138773779121634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nsf_5E9V0Q18H6qfYSH9AKndIZKVKE0jmhCCEi9gqF7WTrjSPogo_iUvaLUFbDM1CCE3AVH1DREwFxQh6XOdEVNLQTUgazeRJOsLaCiwwxXpXQt2_7s0kT3xJdK-CHLvX9Aj/s320/halletjudy.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The body is done in one piece and I've pinned it to Judy just to get a sense as to how it will hug the body. It spurs me on to keep at the sleeves. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'll be going to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Madrona</span> in a couple of weeks and I'll be taking a photography course with Franklin Habit so fingers crossed - hopefully there will be some better shots to come!</span></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-27949362560247629402010-10-18T17:21:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:59:58.555-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Sheep to Haul</strong></span><br /><br /><br />This past Friday the Canadian fibre contingent<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02SP-NQHeDyh444b3X8MuyS3mlGGKg8vLFkPDJIM1wp5e_UYBmpLVJ5eJOUisjN6DTKSxvI5-jMWaFSHJHrLCn3yefXz7ufMnNFH7hbkG4MY0wNz7Tp5JTAaurEO0F5mmtKjt/s1600/puppies.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529550231866210994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02SP-NQHeDyh444b3X8MuyS3mlGGKg8vLFkPDJIM1wp5e_UYBmpLVJ5eJOUisjN6DTKSxvI5-jMWaFSHJHrLCn3yefXz7ufMnNFH7hbkG4MY0wNz7Tp5JTAaurEO0F5mmtKjt/s320/puppies.JPG" /></a> headed up to Rhinebeck NY for the sheep and wool festival. The weekend was a whirlwind but the highlights are as follows:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>First Place in the "So Cute I Want to Steal You" category:</strong> These Australian Shepherd Puppies. I'm sure they're chewing somebody's slipper as we speak.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIWpfxIMwzgLGLQedfvGbmJtDTdPF0pNf-B04WY9cqWdYkrC9eQoN_n_dzcY7wHy4qcCZPPtWyn_Z4mCzcOhkHrgM7W1V6cHqf7O5r2G3yab5KI8AbPnoLsc3uES89NbQtohX/s1600/SHWSnice.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529550693778223650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIWpfxIMwzgLGLQedfvGbmJtDTdPF0pNf-B04WY9cqWdYkrC9eQoN_n_dzcY7wHy4qcCZPPtWyn_Z4mCzcOhkHrgM7W1V6cHqf7O5r2G3yab5KI8AbPnoLsc3uES89NbQtohX/s320/SHWSnice.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>First Place in the "So Beautiful I Want to Steal you while your Maker is sleeping" category:</strong> <a href="http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/">Dr. Steph's</a> Swedish Heartwarmer Shawl. Of course since she was providing the passage back to Canada - I chose a ride home over a life of crime but isn't this shawl amazing??? I'm still knitting away on mine but I'm inspired to keep going after seeing hers.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic12GJJxWpmkfGUgGcETh2qKDEhKhCjxI4JO08gA6SvYUeE5YkNQC9cLlL40xwUC2IgIIHCKUjRVkG2VPSK2w0t5INjMJW6kVoZjLWVsnzwO5GJeX2Fr6uwfQw_B1667M_fF3d/s1600/Glenna.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529550852145080226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic12GJJxWpmkfGUgGcETh2qKDEhKhCjxI4JO08gA6SvYUeE5YkNQC9cLlL40xwUC2IgIIHCKUjRVkG2VPSK2w0t5INjMJW6kVoZjLWVsnzwO5GJeX2Fr6uwfQw_B1667M_fF3d/s320/Glenna.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong>First Place in the "So Beautiful I want to buy more yarn and cast on this second" category: </strong><a href="http://crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com/premium-patterns/">Glenna C's </a>absolutely stunning cabled pullover Royale. She was nice enough to let me try it on and I couldn't click that Pay Pal link fast enough!! I'm eyeing up a nice <a href="http://indigodragonfly.wordpress.com/">Indigo Dragonfly yarn </a>for this baby.<br /><br /><br /><br />My spoils included several stops at the Jennie the Potter booth and I got a beautiful mug so each morning as I sip my coffee ( OK, more like gulp and I'm usually running late but a girl can dream) I can remember my wonderful weekend at Rhinebeck. I also got some buttons from Jennie the Potter and from Sheila and Michael Ernst but I'll blog more on those later.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bcm-nQ8F8fcb0-zcikQBaA-c7ceRXImqAkFw0bcqTUrPABuBr7Wj3VnzYE7399gkpz-vS_5T8Y4H1YMSWT2GLUvUrdltLK8sXI7UgN50Aew1fKiU1vBSsopXd4gdB4SmW-Ar/s1600/jenniemug.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 294px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529551343370425026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bcm-nQ8F8fcb0-zcikQBaA-c7ceRXImqAkFw0bcqTUrPABuBr7Wj3VnzYE7399gkpz-vS_5T8Y4H1YMSWT2GLUvUrdltLK8sXI7UgN50Aew1fKiU1vBSsopXd4gdB4SmW-Ar/s320/jenniemug.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gotta run. One more weekend of weaving seminars and I'm through the most intense of the fibre activities for the fall!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfCbLxp36WMH1VuAC-dNEGSC3Qoj-9W79J1IdnTqEJ16dTvOBgZ_Sk32cClStNL3UE4UqQKhk9zSpsZzOWguVKyYME0ChyphenhyphenC9Zzd5ffmh_P_SSqyIjACrm_VFUkRXduAarDxTa/s1600/buttons.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529551583971063666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfCbLxp36WMH1VuAC-dNEGSC3Qoj-9W79J1IdnTqEJ16dTvOBgZ_Sk32cClStNL3UE4UqQKhk9zSpsZzOWguVKyYME0ChyphenhyphenC9Zzd5ffmh_P_SSqyIjACrm_VFUkRXduAarDxTa/s320/buttons.JPG" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-77866509195356728282010-09-19T19:32:00.000-07:002010-09-19T20:00:33.534-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Monkey off my back</strong></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsvNlUzuEmqibxHpiUcFAvzWo8SixhuYa_05rmklerbhTekUnczn2actYOZuLViS0PIgLoTUYxhveQKkrqeo6HzZVOpp501GP_ZKrqzXjokNC3bpjLHAIUTaq_NB35_e3syiR/s1600/monkey+steek.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518821371010937794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsvNlUzuEmqibxHpiUcFAvzWo8SixhuYa_05rmklerbhTekUnczn2actYOZuLViS0PIgLoTUYxhveQKkrqeo6HzZVOpp501GP_ZKrqzXjokNC3bpjLHAIUTaq_NB35_e3syiR/s320/monkey+steek.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Yesterday was the Five Counties guild competition and as usual, I was finishing my entry at the last minute. Most years, I end up putting the last touches on during the car ride to the event. Since I was driving this year, I thought my passenger would appreciate an earlier push. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxErw6H6kSuQaTugyaXqVXnppWer5NWURDFT9K494SmTf4Y5lF89uTiLNbW433w3t6wh7cvH9geFMM0HWt4YWKQsny4cUq168zsPkw2z-YC5_Zggt6GY8U1Yew78YZc11O1cN/s1600/monkeypieces.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518821922078724338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxErw6H6kSuQaTugyaXqVXnppWer5NWURDFT9K494SmTf4Y5lF89uTiLNbW433w3t6wh7cvH9geFMM0HWt4YWKQsny4cUq168zsPkw2z-YC5_Zggt6GY8U1Yew78YZc11O1cN/s320/monkeypieces.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The pattern is the <a href="http://twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/64-spring-2009-patterns/248-sleepy-monkey-blanket-by-mary-ann-stephens">Sleepy Monkey Blanket </a>from Twist Collective. It's really two blankets knitted in the round, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">steeked</span> and then bound together wrong sides in and finished with two seperate borders (backing on each other). A final garter round seals both sides and makes the blanket totally reversible. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOKbrkBj-uA_v781soXTBWy7Lt0k6ctlYT79C25RJKjaEjCi4VgAUbvF9ABFa_Bmc8bekJk-0dIDTlNFQNlxup1w3auxQDsJqK8tLEjdiKOrssLfnUsbowo44SEZny_8vZgxl/s1600/monkeydonefront.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518823591951888530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOKbrkBj-uA_v781soXTBWy7Lt0k6ctlYT79C25RJKjaEjCi4VgAUbvF9ABFa_Bmc8bekJk-0dIDTlNFQNlxup1w3auxQDsJqK8tLEjdiKOrssLfnUsbowo44SEZny_8vZgxl/s320/monkeydonefront.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I spun the yarn on my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Schacht</span> Matchless and then Navajo plied it to a triple ply. The<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd9CECcQJRPg8u2s5BFMDa0Cpez7TLq2Y0AFLMvq3U3XuGQLnZEGXLmYseTaT4CjcIZkKlLYjRXrDQwjvpl5IxK8OK4o_lDg5aqu3RcQx4OJ-Q1wZ0pHso-t07hy5VdxOYVPQ/s1600/monkeybackdone.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518822474297850658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd9CECcQJRPg8u2s5BFMDa0Cpez7TLq2Y0AFLMvq3U3XuGQLnZEGXLmYseTaT4CjcIZkKlLYjRXrDQwjvpl5IxK8OK4o_lDg5aqu3RcQx4OJ-Q1wZ0pHso-t07hy5VdxOYVPQ/s320/monkeybackdone.JPG" /></a> roving was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">superwash</span> merino and the colours were dictated by the guild challenge. I had to use orange and green but could add other colours too. You can see the two sides here before I bound them together. The back side is quite colourful. I opted for a garter stitch border instead because it is reversible and I would have had to spin more yarn to do it as indicated in the pattern. Time didn't permit however, I'm pleased with the garter finish. The blanket is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">very</span> cushy so if you make this, it's almost like a flat pillow.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The theme of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">competition</span> was "energy" so my very talented <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">guild mate</span> suggested we make felted balls and create an energy transfer machine <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ala</span> physics class. You can see them here behind the mesh holding the display items. People did play with our machine which is what we wanted but alas - the judges didn't think it was the most "eye catching" so we're bridesmaids again. However, I loved seeing all of the entries and was so proud of the talent in ou<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KiifFEl99iOAudKfJzcmxul3To9YuC-IzjRHH4IzzaY3x8tuMboE5OAXqtxoLzT72ZRlfkeE9kigeWF-b0kfrIjVeWmPoxOkdVqNMHp0GMWPOcZXx_cpo03IwOG3uBULa_bS/s1600/fivecounties10.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518822879007364610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KiifFEl99iOAudKfJzcmxul3To9YuC-IzjRHH4IzzaY3x8tuMboE5OAXqtxoLzT72ZRlfkeE9kigeWF-b0kfrIjVeWmPoxOkdVqNMHp0GMWPOcZXx_cpo03IwOG3uBULa_bS/s320/fivecounties10.JPG" /></a>r guild.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7zNr_drz8u5Wl1D9KgGj_KjihP84GPa3cx2ZaKe1MqC3W6EpcROE9c3s5VlpjCEJpQFhgmFfbLI0dX9cgsDd9-sPvMBsd3UPVkNYdr-ulLUMkVbOX0KXaFwbqaTyTOkDaQ0O/s1600/monkeybothsidesdone.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518821507179220706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7zNr_drz8u5Wl1D9KgGj_KjihP84GPa3cx2ZaKe1MqC3W6EpcROE9c3s5VlpjCEJpQFhgmFfbLI0dX9cgsDd9-sPvMBsd3UPVkNYdr-ulLUMkVbOX0KXaFwbqaTyTOkDaQ0O/s320/monkeybothsidesdone.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">The Sleepy Monkey will be resting in my cedar chest. I can't bear to give it to anyone because there's so much of me in it. I think it will go to the first grandchild. <strong>NOT ANYTIME</strong></span><strong> SOON!</strong>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-79092747066735886282010-08-15T07:27:00.000-07:002010-08-15T07:53:03.752-07:00<div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>A Good Bath</strong></span></div><div></div><div> </div><div>It sucks when you work on a project and the whole time you feel it's a disaster. Such was my experience weaving my second project - an undulating twill blanket. The yarn choice, patt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_CDL13bHku21xQft4DcnyLUFGm-fdssUKbQu7mkmW2LcnZeVGj1lK4yxZ3UnvVONcoFN1SUbK9bIxdgxdkaJN7mHPR2uiag8Co7edXdFLOassEYGW3EQKNTgmsfc3cgUkkUt/s1600/robblanket2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505647703212797410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_CDL13bHku21xQft4DcnyLUFGm-fdssUKbQu7mkmW2LcnZeVGj1lK4yxZ3UnvVONcoFN1SUbK9bIxdgxdkaJN7mHPR2uiag8Co7edXdFLOassEYGW3EQKNTgmsfc3cgUkkUt/s320/robblanket2.jpg" /></a>ern choice and sett were not "in sympatico" so I had lots of slippage. It was a rookie mistake. I powered through with some coaching from the amazing <a href="http://www.janestaffordtextiles.com/">Jane Stafford </a>who gave me some advice. The best advice she gave was to reserve judgement until the finished cloth hit the water. "A good bath often turns an ugly duckling into a swan," she counselled. She was right.</div><div></div><br /><div>Here is the finished blanket. It was designed to act like a runner on a leather chair in our living room. Colours were chartreuse and taupe. The pattern I chose was an undulating twill which has long floats. The yarn was a silk-superwash merino blend which I thought would wear well. However, it makes it more slippery and less forgiving when it comes to fluffing up during washing to stabilize it. </div><div></div><br /><div>W<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU6vvjY_zSR3uJutkDlOAFJS3Nzif4V_wDKtKdhTFjbu8pixfHmDumVaj2MLhDar_IgbCMriQsP7V5PLsj6f3GxnwKQDizJZXCy_aU8NbgLRaaDcoTwlaKR3-FKQv2qr_YytQ/s1600/robblankclosegood.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 278px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505648380613218018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU6vvjY_zSR3uJutkDlOAFJS3Nzif4V_wDKtKdhTFjbu8pixfHmDumVaj2MLhDar_IgbCMriQsP7V5PLsj6f3GxnwKQDizJZXCy_aU8NbgLRaaDcoTwlaKR3-FKQv2qr_YytQ/s320/robblankclosegood.jpg" /></a>hen I found big gaps in my sample weaving because the yarn slipped around I panicked and e mailed Jane. She recommended a pick of plain weave 100% wool (very fine) between the picks of twill to stabilize it. Here on the close up you can see the wool picks and it certainly did the trick! The final blanket was more than 5 feet long so I was very glad to finish it off. </div><br /><div></div><div>I washed it in warm water with Soak soap and spun it dry This was my first time using a floating selvedge and I love the way it makes everything so neat and tidy. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTp22wh6rRvGvE4N1rvdOwHEEah8fi7TTwi7J7XCPL2PR9gT5iis3cuQiQCZ-elnMBao-DK7HyNWkqJd2-Q7NBY_0PUmzFy3Se9T0HPq2Rnjyvdnmq5jlk_GkiWyG-bjVoKsU/s1600/rbblankchair.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505648998317238738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTp22wh6rRvGvE4N1rvdOwHEEah8fi7TTwi7J7XCPL2PR9gT5iis3cuQiQCZ-elnMBao-DK7HyNWkqJd2-Q7NBY_0PUmzFy3Se9T0HPq2Rnjyvdnmq5jlk_GkiWyG-bjVoKsU/s320/rbblankchair.jpg" /></a> <div></div><br /><div>It looks great on the chair and I'm still amazed at how a little bath saved the day. </div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129197.post-27684745164798922052010-08-03T17:55:00.000-07:002010-08-03T18:52:09.243-07:00<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Summertime: Livin Easy, Fish Jumping and Cotton is on the Needles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62KNw-6rs-G42QHV9KPJCbcQJ_4yHkTJST7R3IPLLQ-82Q3T1D4bSLs9rXWjLEF_hWtNXHRlS8NSRFIBSiVI_Tc-n5q0EntQRhHt07CmRryEA7G-ljL7qyuEvH_0VNGLWwiGw/s1600/tomat.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 264px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501355118242524306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62KNw-6rs-G42QHV9KPJCbcQJ_4yHkTJST7R3IPLLQ-82Q3T1D4bSLs9rXWjLEF_hWtNXHRlS8NSRFIBSiVI_Tc-n5q0EntQRhHt07CmRryEA7G-ljL7qyuEvH_0VNGLWwiGw/s320/tomat.JPG" /></a></strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In spite of the fact that I'm delving into other fibrey pursuits - knitting remains my fist love (rest assured). There are many projects in the queue and a couple that will make it to finished object status soon.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9S9tWcvMLek0-SkOK286AG2ukUFKwaAX4yD53Lwzo7WjBZOI9CDKxB7TzTFR5VjKxbFsSevdE2VjBtx-EdpI5RFCqzoI-M1cYWkVRQ2CR2C3q2n9Cge7y5ARVteTEOPTOXyw/s1600/windownew.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 261px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501365499800132674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9S9tWcvMLek0-SkOK286AG2ukUFKwaAX4yD53Lwzo7WjBZOI9CDKxB7TzTFR5VjKxbFsSevdE2VjBtx-EdpI5RFCqzoI-M1cYWkVRQ2CR2C3q2n9Cge7y5ARVteTEOPTOXyw/s320/windownew.JPG" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpw_9f-4KpzQQ30LnVhtOMt2qc-jmbaWgVkcrFhQNFTe7DXxDBy800hXBBm4Hdl5gnFpwLH4Vj2GcaKkathbPp6jdbWDMrRXsxyrG-WScdkVq0Dqn5GHVGgvKAKoP1jl6PSYF/s1600/coverstairs.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501355755584594722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpw_9f-4KpzQQ30LnVhtOMt2qc-jmbaWgVkcrFhQNFTe7DXxDBy800hXBBm4Hdl5gnFpwLH4Vj2GcaKkathbPp6jdbWDMrRXsxyrG-WScdkVq0Dqn5GHVGgvKAKoP1jl6PSYF/s320/coverstairs.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Here in wine country, we've been enjoying an amazing summer. Our winemakers are grinning ear to ear and they say it'll hopefully be the best vintage ever. We've been renovating here at chez veritas. The new roof was last November and now it's time for all new windows. What a difference it makes! Of course - it ain't cheap so thank goodness that most of the fall projects I'm lovin can come from stash (more on that later).</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rVOTqa1CGYrEalmuuqF5R8ycntrtwNSdfBqVbeqngRwydxdm3X77YdXDmRLWFhoYNVv3bLaMc-118bc8cNahO2FVBY3JAWGFTOJjgBGcHFa4AUpOZQNfWSX3CkrO4buG1xPP/s1600/windownew.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">First up is a cardigan I started a few seasons ago - Maritime <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybKeIU0yl2VDoZkjj84-aRkCtl1Maf4sUV0cPRYUrTZvfpijMK6YCYz-3nWqKYX28jVdusq4XcIgQQ28qBDkuOWuREQhmymzj9JVjmI5Ep2BGWdsjmb1sbiYUzgEMSSTsG3NB/s1600/maritimejudy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501356685801031138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybKeIU0yl2VDoZkjj84-aRkCtl1Maf4sUV0cPRYUrTZvfpijMK6YCYz-3nWqKYX28jVdusq4XcIgQQ28qBDkuOWuREQhmymzj9JVjmI5Ep2BGWdsjmb1sbiYUzgEMSSTsG3NB/s320/maritimejudy.JPG" /></a>from Rowan 43 in Cotton Glace . I'm finally on the last sleeve so here's a sneak peek o<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzTVqyV3qZCREQVWA8x0hnnn-k5MhyphenhyphenSLDR41YbXf797K_g8_-OEYySQGFY67klrdwC6fKOv5hZxLpmUxsbrz96mhSBWvVHR1MwmCZbPy9vVnd_s0FolGP0poJysAlX6tWK-PS/s1600/maritimejudyhem.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 273px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501357406725737730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzTVqyV3qZCREQVWA8x0hnnn-k5MhyphenhyphenSLDR41YbXf797K_g8_-OEYySQGFY67klrdwC6fKOv5hZxLpmUxsbrz96mhSBWvVHR1MwmCZbPy9vVnd_s0FolGP0poJysAlX6tWK-PS/s320/maritimejudyhem.JPG" /></a>f the pieces tacked to Judy (she's such a trooper). The button band is done in a lovely lilac shade and I have funky lilac buttons with white trim to finish it off. This is very "Anthroplogie" to me. I got a navy ribbon for the waist trim.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Also chugging along is my submission for this year's spinning/weaving competition for September. It's Sleepy Monkey. Our colours are pumpkin and sage green so I'm doing the monkeys in the pumpkin and the edging will incorporate the green. I can add as many other colours as I want - just 50% of the item has to be a combo of pumpkin and green. It's a merino superwash that I've spun to worsted weight and Navajo plied.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJ444-ssNdeLnRCTxhlfQbSwGp2Z68OuZd-Ash2Wthmjn6eSVD8gbspkDexUNh6f0mggcijh74uSW1O_48ic0MkTOCtvwbTI6ms5GSO00uxpnSzqyKuWOIc1XkgKxKRPXQhAU/s1600/sleepymonkey.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501357959035441442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJ444-ssNdeLnRCTxhlfQbSwGp2Z68OuZd-Ash2Wthmjn6eSVD8gbspkDexUNh6f0mggcijh74uSW1O_48ic0MkTOCtvwbTI6ms5GSO00uxpnSzqyKuWOIc1XkgKxKRPXQhAU/s320/sleepymonkey.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDX85EY-b4B3L7yT7i5Zl1RXRlN91yZ9Cz0DFboJ9I6CKISvDAZK4obIkCC90mMuzwIltWcNXPRnMip7HoO8FcNG642Yw_qOOYy1R5ag8F3xH9yuzeKJq9jj-Ahq0-wKXQU-O5/s1600/monkeyyarn.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501358537688589442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDX85EY-b4B3L7yT7i5Zl1RXRlN91yZ9Cz0DFboJ9I6CKISvDAZK4obIkCC90mMuzwIltWcNXPRnMip7HoO8FcNG642Yw_qOOYy1R5ag8F3xH9yuzeKJq9jj-Ahq0-wKXQU-O5/s320/monkeyyarn.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm hoping to<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb5J9k21jTcvXUpTK8lmjCaU1yY-tjzQTl6bnri3lqaLZb0uuH-qmEAOJRz878THFNTQwr4TpBfGxsVZIXXUFzRuUu72VMBdMl4_2h25JYonGqsTO92UKpsK7Rx1CkoNG2N4b/s1600/phoebeglam.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501362072976585298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb5J9k21jTcvXUpTK8lmjCaU1yY-tjzQTl6bnri3lqaLZb0uuH-qmEAOJRz878THFNTQwr4TpBfGxsVZIXXUFzRuUu72VMBdMl4_2h25JYonGqsTO92UKpsK7Rx1CkoNG2N4b/s320/phoebeglam.jpg" /></a> post a final review of my woven blanket once it's off the loom and washed - we'll see if a good bath can save it. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'll leave you with a lovely glamour shot of Phoebe. She actually looks regal! You'd never know she was such a goof-ball.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534440273096487312noreply@blogger.com0