Knitting Channels to Inspire

Hello Everyone!!!

I hope your Sunday was lovely? Today Mr. and I took a much needed chill day. While I was working on a needle project I was watching some YouTube. I have been OBSESSED lately with watching knitting channels. I have watched everything from how to speed knit [maybe I should just watch knitting for the super slow .. it would be more true to form] to yarn dying and I bumped into these wonderful knitters. Each people are different and have such wonderful personalities I just had to share.

This is Kristen Lehrer with Voolenvine Yarns who is a Brooklyn based yarn-dyer. Not only does her channel shows her knitting projects but also her sewing .. which I have been looking at doing some independent sewing patterns [ Lisette or Deer and Doe ] but I never know who is good. She also shares other little things in her life like finding a mug with a knit pattern, events and other pod-casters.

The next two are the author duo of Carlos Zachrison and Arne Nerjordet and these two gents are such a delight to watch. They play off each others personalities and have wonderful ideas. Their tutorials are on both knits and crochets and some of their projects use both. They also share food recipes,  garden updates and life on a remote mountain. Also, in the last picture .. the answer is yes, he is knitting multiple socks at a time. The have a pattern for 'the easiest socks in the world' .. I do not know .. it does not seem easy. *.* However, their net shopping bag looks do-able.

The last inspiring knitter is Lindsay McCoy from A Wooden Nest and she is a slow living dream come true. Her voice is soft and her Christmas Special makes me want to move in with her. Seriously!! Her daughter's reaction to the Christmas tree is precious. Her blog also shows her quiet family life raising chickens, yarn dying and sharing recipes .. I want to try her Ginger-Molasses Cookies .. YUM!

New Kitchen Valance and A Bear For The Baby ..

I have finally gotten around to making the curtain for over the sink in the kitchen. As you can see from the picture below that the window is a bit bare. When we bought the house 10 years ago it came with both a valance and blinds over the sink, neither were my style at all, but living with both gave me ideas of what I didn't want when we re-did the kitchen. I didn't want blinds because they would always be up and I didn't want café curtains because it would always be wet from the splashing (yes I still wash my dishes by hand) and no to a cornice because well .. I don't like them. So two options were leave it bare or go with a valance. I lived with it bare and it just seemed unfinished. So valance it is.



So with stash in hand I went off to the craft room for a day of sewing and this is what I came up with. A simple valance. I tied up the valance with twine since I am still unsure if I want it as a straight valance or a swag.  IF I keep the swag I will pleat the bottom so that it will hang better and change out the ties. But truthfully I am liking the twine. IF I change it to the straight valance I will shorten it by about 1 1/2".



A few quick tips on how I work with burlap. The open weave of burlap makes it a fairly easy fabric to work worth. NOTE .. burlap isn't your softest fabric and it doesn't drape like other materials - so keep that in mind when selecting this for a curtain. I always tend to go longer in length .. this gives me the ability to play with the fabric more. I would regret it if I am too short and I can always shorten it if it seems too long.



START TO PULL THREAD AT THE LENGHT YOU WANT IT

CONT. TO WORK THREAD BUT DON'T TUG TOO HARD YOU DON'T WANT TO BREAK THE THREAD
 



CUT BELOW THE GAP



IRONING YOUR FOLD WILL KEEP IT PERFECTLY STRAIGHT

LONG STRAIGHT STITCHES AND YOU ARE DONE!

SEE SUPER EASY.

 

 



And I did say I made something special for the youngest grandbaby.



Awe .. so sad

 

Much better ..
 

I used the same pattern as last time and like last time I sewed down the felt nose and did large French knots for eyes. Oh and I also added lavender scent by dabbing a cotton ball and putting it in the tummy before sewing.

Adding To The List

Check out this cute little top over at the purl bee.  

Isn't it just the sweetest thing?

Nothing says summer like an adorable tie-top blouse.

from Purlbee

I have to add it to my 'To Make For The Grandbabies List' ...

oh yea there is a list and it's very long   =D 

I am sooo loving the calico print.

Liberty of London makes the cutest prints.

 

from Purlbee

 

I am going to have to rummage through my fabric stash ..

I am sure I have something that would work.

And since the girls are still tiny .. I bet I even have enough elastic too.

Sweet! Breaking out the sewing machine this weekend!!

Obsessions!

For the last few months I have been totally obsessed with three sites. I can't seem to get enough of them ... their composition and content have me mesmerized.

The first one is Purl Bee ... between this site and Ravlery my head is swimming with new projects to make. It is going to take me 40 years to finish everything I want. Unlike Raverly (which is a crochet/knit site only) the Purl Bee also has embroidery and sewing (which then kicks up my creative juices) I seem to go into hyper-mode and when I find something I want to make ... I start speaking in this high pitched voice and screech to my Beloved ... 'look at how wonderful this is!' as he calmly says 'yes baby that is cool' ... trying to pacify his overly-amped wife. But it is too late ... my eyes are glazed and I am trying to think when I can fit in the extra project. I think I am going to make the seed-stitch blanket for my bed and the cute hedgehog for Baby Bug ... I think she will like it. Now what to make for the newest Gran Bug?

The next two consist of more of visual eye candy and appeal to me as a photographer and how much I want to develop this craft.

Next is The Yard it seems to be a collection of pictures from other sites ... sort of like viewing someone's Pinterest board. All the pictures seem to have a cool, grey weather, natural living kind of vibe. Some are simple and classic (landscaping or a bowl on a wood table) to more artistic ideas (the greenhouse full of cacti) This seems to have a fresh look to old ideas of what makes a great picture.

Last but not at all least is Kinfolk Magazine this site has really solidified the idea that gathering with others isn't meant to be done over a rushed cup of coffee in an over-crowed shop. It is meant to be done in more of a European style of sitting down and enjoying not just the company but also the coffee. There is A LOT of emphasis on living quietly and simply and embracing natural surroundings ... packing a breakfast, driving to a quiet spot and seeing a sunrise on the hood of your car with your lovey. I LOVE LOVE LOVE looking at the Journal ... since there are many different contributors you get ideas of different styles. I am INFATUATED with the videos ... The Oregon Coast and The Dutch Oven Bread are my two favorites. On Youtube they have 'Volume Two'





Here is 'The Kinfolk Manifesto'

 Yes ... there is a Manifesto =D



Baby Things

Sorry for my brief absence but I was trying to make some baby things so that when my husband went up to Denver to see family, he could take the gifts along with him.



First ... I made a super cute teddy bear but I guess I didn't take a picture. *tears* It is pattern number E2115 from Simplicity's It So Easy.  It was ALOT easier to piece together when I was following the instructions *giggles* I didn't want to use any fuzzy material or use buttons since it will be with the baby during the teething stage. I was going to embroider the face but Mr. thought the bear looked fine without the features. I did put alittle bit of lavender buds in the belly with its stuffing which might not be the best idea being it might not be able to go into the wash but it can be spot cleaned.  Overall it was an easy enough pattern that I am seriously thinking that the bear needs a sibling or two =D

Second ... I crocheted a super cute baby blanket, which I also didn't take a picture of. *o* It is similar to the one I made above. I love poly yarn just for the durability factor, it will be able to be washed, dragged, washed, drooled, washed ... well you get the point ... for a very long time. The brand I chose is Caron Simply Soft and the color is Bone. When I started the blanket we didn't know the gender of the baby and I didn't want to go blue, yellow or green and the next color that would be neutral is cream. So cream it was. It is a realatively easy small shell pattern.

Last but not at all least is this super cute knit sweater. When the kids were little ... I tried to knit. Read ... re-read ... re-re-read and got soooooo fusterated I put down the knitting needles (actually I gave them away) until I found this book Baby Knits For Beginners at the library and I thought I would give it another go. With book in tow and this new site called Youtube *wink* I sat down and knitted this pretty sweater. Yes ... it is pretty but it is far from perfect ... I never thought I would get done in time ... I think I did more undoing a row than knitting but at 1am the morning I got done piecing it together just in the neck of time since Mr. was leaving at 5am. I was a zombie at work (and a tad-bit moody too) but I got it done. It is also made with the Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather. I really liked this book ... there are a few more patterns I want to do and I will keep you posted.



What A Cutie!

A few months ago I've had TWO people I know have babies and TWO more are almost ready *YEA* and *YIKES* - So I did not know what to get them - maybe receiving blankets/onesies pack *nah* everrrryone is going to buy those - oooh how about  gift card *nah* too generic - hmmm how about car seats *nah* too 'big ticket item' for me [love you guys but .... no] So back to thinking.  I came across these patterns at where else ... Walmart. Don't make faces - I like my Walmart. Well except for the unhelpful/unhappy workers and the overly agressive crowds my Walmart is perfect  *o*  Anyhow ....  they were marking down the patterns 50% off  because they were bringing in new patterns - so I bought 3 new patterns: I thought these totes will come in handy (as if I don't have enough bags), I have a hard time finding tops that give me enough coverage [not all of us can pull off the tramp look] so I thought that these blouses had possiblilities, and the last one are baby clothes [NO that is not an announcement - but it never hurts to be prepared - always a mama never a GRANDmama ] So into my room I went looking for material that will be suitable [cute and light since it's still a bit warm here *tears*] and I had left over material from the blue skirt I made 2 Mays ago *wow how time flies*  And this is what I came up with - super cute and somewhat easy - I added bias tap around the neck and arm holes to make it a bit sturdier and also used it as hem tape to finish the end.

ADORABLE!!!! 

I wonder what the next projects are going to be *hmmmm*

Linked to Between Naps On the Porch - Blissful Rhythm - 

AMAZING!!

As part of a promise I made to myself was to connect with ALLLL my favorite bloggers. And Anna Allen at Graceful Lady is no exception. She is a talented seamstress (she created the wonder jacket she is wearing *sigh*) that lives in this old church from the turn of the century which is perfect for her since her gifted hands create reenactment garments from the Civil War period. And as any honest sewer will tell you - you must be gifted to tackle that era ... the details are tremmmmendous. Anyhow apparently she isn't the only talented one in her family... her siblings wanted to make a short film and it is THE MOST bewitching things I have seen ... from the camera shots to the music (for those taking the "A Better Us" challenge this band is totally safe-the band's name is Balmorhea and the song is "Rememberance") it is captivating, enchanting and haunting - I absolutely LoOoVe it - so much I HAD to share it. Please pass it along. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go create something =D

Fixing An Old Friend

I can't remember the first time I laid eyes on my old friend. She has been with me for at least 30 years!! Not only has she kept me safe from vampires (did you know vampires can't bite thru cotton! LOL childhood superstitions) and warm but also was a tent, a raft, and a superman cape for the kids. Ahhhhhh the memories.

I always thought she was meant for just me - since it had my name on it. That she was created magically and found its way to me.

Well after all these years she is starting to look her age =D So into the repair shop she goes.

As I stitch her I wonder what else she will be to the next generation: A throw on the floor? Will they learn their alphabets (well part) and colors from these blocks? How about an Aladdin rug that will fly us to far away lands? A picnic blanket when we take them to the park? What will you be my dearest and oldest friend?

Now with Spring here I will place you with prominence.The best thing about this sheet (it has no backing-it is simply a bunch of scraps of fabric sewn together) is that she is so colorful and  lightweight perfect for Phoenix summers. I adore her imperfections (seems that don't meet right) it shows that others tried to save her too. Welcome my dearest friend - I have missed you so very much.

*Please check out Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphis Monday. There are so many great ideas*

I'm Done!!

Putting this skirt together during my spare time has been very relaxing. Stealing a few mins for myself in between jobs or cleaning - I probably could have found more time and made the project go quicker.

Now I need to clean my mess and figure what my next project will be. Hmmmm.......

A reward for my hard efforts  :  D

"I’m very fond of men. I think they are wonderful creatures. I love them dearly. But I don’t want to look like one." ~Tasha Tudor

Super Simple Skirt?

I have (had) this cute skirt that I absolutely LOVE and because I have worn it like a trillion times - the fabric has started to fray at the zipper seems. I don't mind telling you I just about cried. I was at the Wal-Mart and looking threw some patterns for this skirt when it donned on me to just use the original skirt as the pattern. So I got this fun print for $1.50 a yard (just in case it doesn't go well I didn't spend a fortune ;p) and I got 3 yards (again just in case I mess up). So far I have marked the skirt and have taken it apart. As far as the material - it has been washed, dried and ironed and ready to go. I am sooo excited to see how it is going to look. Wish me luck. No not luck - wish me .... perfect seems ;p