Yes, it's true. Rita and I have created a dedicated blog *just* for design, knit and crochet things.
We're taking turns posting, keeping each other motivated to share our amazing skills. Check things out there from time to time.
Of course, I can't not talk about knitting here once in a while!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
International Year of Natural Fibers - 2009
Yes. It's true. This year is dedicated to natural fibres. Who knew? Pretty exciting stuff and their website has lots of interesting things on it for fibre geeks. Given that I just bought a bunch of linen and another bunch of ramie, it was a super find. I had always known that ramie was a bast fibre but hadn't realised it is equally as old as linen and was a relatively common ancient textile. All the cool mummies are wearing it.
The linen and possibly now the ramie will be morphed into my ambitious autumnal sewing spree. After a long summer of strolling around in garb, I've decided it's high time to make some new stuff. The sewing hasn't stopped, but it's all been for other people. For the next few months, unless there is money attached to it, the sewing is for me.
My etsy shop has been woefully neglected. This is primarily because every time I would make something to put up there, it would sell to someone I knew before it even hit the site. Go figure. This fall is dedicated to getting the shop stocked up. I've announced my ambition so now you'll all have to hold me accountable for this commitment. My other commitment is to NSF (gotta love those initials!) and our craft sales. We've signed up for one on 29 Nov. at the Crescentwood CC. This too will take some stocking up to prepare for. Luckily, having planned to be at one in Oct that failed to materialise, we are somewhat closer to prepared. Getting the displays worked out is going to be a tough one. So far that is why my other etsy shop is empty. I have stock, I just can't seem to make it look as good in the pictures. Based on discussions with others, this is a very real problem for the cottage crafter. Staging is everything and a good picture more often than not means sales.
This week I moved around my holidays a little. I had been planning on being busier than I now will be (contact me if you want to hear the story) so this was a great opportunity to have a look at maximising my time off. Thanks to a happy collision of statutory holidays and banked time, I will have 10 days off over the yuletide period. Some of thise might be spent roaming around so if you want a visit, claim your days now! It's plans like these that make me really miss having a cottage - particularly a winterized one. A wood fire, baking, coffee and the stillness of snow, trees and sunshine declare happy winter to me. Nevertheless, it is already feeling like the perfect time to recoonect with myself and possibly rescue my skis from oblivion. All this musing on winter is particularly amusing since it's currently sunny and edging up to 26C today.
Today I'm wishing that those people who are so deeply unhappy in themselves find peace and release.
The linen and possibly now the ramie will be morphed into my ambitious autumnal sewing spree. After a long summer of strolling around in garb, I've decided it's high time to make some new stuff. The sewing hasn't stopped, but it's all been for other people. For the next few months, unless there is money attached to it, the sewing is for me.
My etsy shop has been woefully neglected. This is primarily because every time I would make something to put up there, it would sell to someone I knew before it even hit the site. Go figure. This fall is dedicated to getting the shop stocked up. I've announced my ambition so now you'll all have to hold me accountable for this commitment. My other commitment is to NSF (gotta love those initials!) and our craft sales. We've signed up for one on 29 Nov. at the Crescentwood CC. This too will take some stocking up to prepare for. Luckily, having planned to be at one in Oct that failed to materialise, we are somewhat closer to prepared. Getting the displays worked out is going to be a tough one. So far that is why my other etsy shop is empty. I have stock, I just can't seem to make it look as good in the pictures. Based on discussions with others, this is a very real problem for the cottage crafter. Staging is everything and a good picture more often than not means sales.
This week I moved around my holidays a little. I had been planning on being busier than I now will be (contact me if you want to hear the story) so this was a great opportunity to have a look at maximising my time off. Thanks to a happy collision of statutory holidays and banked time, I will have 10 days off over the yuletide period. Some of thise might be spent roaming around so if you want a visit, claim your days now! It's plans like these that make me really miss having a cottage - particularly a winterized one. A wood fire, baking, coffee and the stillness of snow, trees and sunshine declare happy winter to me. Nevertheless, it is already feeling like the perfect time to recoonect with myself and possibly rescue my skis from oblivion. All this musing on winter is particularly amusing since it's currently sunny and edging up to 26C today.
Today I'm wishing that those people who are so deeply unhappy in themselves find peace and release.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
A month, a-new
Several false starts to this update. I guess I have a lot to say and don't know where to start. I'll be more brief, simple.
Thank you to those who have purchased my pattern on Rav. It has really made my day and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my ideas and to have others have beautiful things as a result. It has inspired me to undo the backlog of projects/patterns/gifts and make some small, tentative steps forward. Thank you too to Miss Doom for her help on things technical. I am so grateful for your friendship, sometimes I get all teary-eyed at my good fortune. This goes for a few others among you too of course...but MD spent 2 hours on the phone trouble-shooting with me so I owe her huge huge thanks!
K. Knittsy things. My mom's birthday socks are coming along nicely. After the 3 frogged versions, I've finally hit on the execution of the design that I am satisfied with. The name is proving more of a challenge than normal though. I feel like calling them 'Cosmos' socks, the swirling pattern makes me think of the universe at large, swirling around the vastness of space. That may be too opaque a name though. Suggestions? I'm going to post it on Rav under 'birthday socks' until I decide what to call them.
I've also finished the first of MD's Elfin House Slippers. I hate grafting a lot so I've redesigned it to reduce the stitching to the barest (essential) bones. It's kind of a boring knit but they look so cute when done it's worth the plod.
The Baby Yoda sweater I made was well received by my co-worker this week. I'm so excited that it has gone to a good home.
Thank you to those who have purchased my pattern on Rav. It has really made my day and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my ideas and to have others have beautiful things as a result. It has inspired me to undo the backlog of projects/patterns/gifts and make some small, tentative steps forward. Thank you too to Miss Doom for her help on things technical. I am so grateful for your friendship, sometimes I get all teary-eyed at my good fortune. This goes for a few others among you too of course...but MD spent 2 hours on the phone trouble-shooting with me so I owe her huge huge thanks!
K. Knittsy things. My mom's birthday socks are coming along nicely. After the 3 frogged versions, I've finally hit on the execution of the design that I am satisfied with. The name is proving more of a challenge than normal though. I feel like calling them 'Cosmos' socks, the swirling pattern makes me think of the universe at large, swirling around the vastness of space. That may be too opaque a name though. Suggestions? I'm going to post it on Rav under 'birthday socks' until I decide what to call them.
I've also finished the first of MD's Elfin House Slippers. I hate grafting a lot so I've redesigned it to reduce the stitching to the barest (essential) bones. It's kind of a boring knit but they look so cute when done it's worth the plod.
The Baby Yoda sweater I made was well received by my co-worker this week. I'm so excited that it has gone to a good home.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thank you Tom Power!
Ok. Had to share. These folks are incredible! Thank you to Tom Power (Deep Roots/CBC 2) for playing this today.
The Quebe Sisters. OMG. Go listen. I am seriously thinking of going to SD to see them live, just 'cause.
In fact, I suspect I heard a concert on CBC back several months that I have been singularly unsuccessful in locating online despite the assertions of the host that that was possible...hmm.
The Quebe Sisters. OMG. Go listen. I am seriously thinking of going to SD to see them live, just 'cause.
In fact, I suspect I heard a concert on CBC back several months that I have been singularly unsuccessful in locating online despite the assertions of the host that that was possible...hmm.
A question of desire
Ok Sete - I'm writing!
So much has happened and I kept meaning to write but then of course, well, I didn't. I'll sum up now. The potted version of a story is always shorter so fair is fair.
I have a crush, his name is Jason. He has beautiful blue eyes and he lives behind the cheese curtain. Go figure.
This story starts with Knitter's Connection. Fiona and I went there to set up her first booth as a professional dyer. SUPER COOL! Was a blast. Seriously. We had transportation tribulations but they could not dim the immense joy in her company, the adventure and the experience. The transport tribulations are now finally over (as of yesterday) so now is actually a good time to tell the tale. Effie was carrying us through the land of cheese when there was a horrible noise. It was 1am, dark, west of La Crosse. We managed to get to La Crosse -miracle 1- and found a competant, SEXY, transmission guy -miracle 2- he said he'd do what he could, then proceeded to do lots and lots more than anyone I know, including my friends! We eventually got underway again and KC went off brilliantly. My yarn budget went into repairing Effie via Skadi's help. I honestly get teary when I think of how absolutely blessed I am with the friends I have in my life now. Thank you universe! Jason was the guy. What a guy. I flirted, offered to kidnap him to Canada and keep him...and I meant it. He's called a few times, I'm waiting til Monday to call since it's a holiday weekend for you kids to the south. Effie has required some additional, related repairs. A seal leaked and the trickle down (haha, pun!) caused some chaos. She's better now. Visa will love me for quite some time based on the profits they are turning off my account. I can make more money.
Skadi's had a horrible week and I am sending all my positive thoughts to her. Please do likewise.
In the knitter-verse, things are trucking along. I have the patterns ready to go for the Queen's Leisure set and will be posting them on Rav shortly. I failed to take pics of the socks before I mailed them so I have to wait to post that one. It was a great exercise in using up left over yarn. I am a hoarder of yarn so if you think tossing 30 g of yarn is acceptable - shame on you! Eventually these projects will be collected into a book of patterns. The title: 'Socks and Ends' let's hope that is still free when this things grows it's flight feathers.
The first pair of socks for Tim are just about done. It's pretty exciting. Trading is awesome. Win-win-win (the extra win is because we both feel like the winner on top of actually BEING a winner). Next pair is likely to be DK or sportweight - may be a pattern coming on. I feel a little twinkle in that designing part of my brain.
The albatross is still hanging off my neck but this weekend should see the end of it. Living with guilt is too damn hard to maintain.
Have I mentioned I really really need an ipod Touch? It has a voice recording component...no more patterns-after-the-fact-wtf-did-I-do for this gal. Effie being a bigger girl called dibs on all free-range cash for the moment so for now, the idea of the ipod is enough.
So much has happened and I kept meaning to write but then of course, well, I didn't. I'll sum up now. The potted version of a story is always shorter so fair is fair.
I have a crush, his name is Jason. He has beautiful blue eyes and he lives behind the cheese curtain. Go figure.
This story starts with Knitter's Connection. Fiona and I went there to set up her first booth as a professional dyer. SUPER COOL! Was a blast. Seriously. We had transportation tribulations but they could not dim the immense joy in her company, the adventure and the experience. The transport tribulations are now finally over (as of yesterday) so now is actually a good time to tell the tale. Effie was carrying us through the land of cheese when there was a horrible noise. It was 1am, dark, west of La Crosse. We managed to get to La Crosse -miracle 1- and found a competant, SEXY, transmission guy -miracle 2- he said he'd do what he could, then proceeded to do lots and lots more than anyone I know, including my friends! We eventually got underway again and KC went off brilliantly. My yarn budget went into repairing Effie via Skadi's help. I honestly get teary when I think of how absolutely blessed I am with the friends I have in my life now. Thank you universe! Jason was the guy. What a guy. I flirted, offered to kidnap him to Canada and keep him...and I meant it. He's called a few times, I'm waiting til Monday to call since it's a holiday weekend for you kids to the south. Effie has required some additional, related repairs. A seal leaked and the trickle down (haha, pun!) caused some chaos. She's better now. Visa will love me for quite some time based on the profits they are turning off my account. I can make more money.
Skadi's had a horrible week and I am sending all my positive thoughts to her. Please do likewise.
In the knitter-verse, things are trucking along. I have the patterns ready to go for the Queen's Leisure set and will be posting them on Rav shortly. I failed to take pics of the socks before I mailed them so I have to wait to post that one. It was a great exercise in using up left over yarn. I am a hoarder of yarn so if you think tossing 30 g of yarn is acceptable - shame on you! Eventually these projects will be collected into a book of patterns. The title: 'Socks and Ends' let's hope that is still free when this things grows it's flight feathers.
The first pair of socks for Tim are just about done. It's pretty exciting. Trading is awesome. Win-win-win (the extra win is because we both feel like the winner on top of actually BEING a winner). Next pair is likely to be DK or sportweight - may be a pattern coming on. I feel a little twinkle in that designing part of my brain.
The albatross is still hanging off my neck but this weekend should see the end of it. Living with guilt is too damn hard to maintain.
Have I mentioned I really really need an ipod Touch? It has a voice recording component...no more patterns-after-the-fact-wtf-did-I-do for this gal. Effie being a bigger girl called dibs on all free-range cash for the moment so for now, the idea of the ipod is enough.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Post - One
I’m kind of excited. This is my first post – exciting. Add to that my external validation yesterday and it’s just exciting to be me! I was poking around Ravelry for a bit last night and am working on getting myself set up as a vendor. I have offered the odd pattern for free but now I have some more complex ones that need to be sold to many many people. The latest design, Elinore Fingerless Gloves is in beta testing now and will very soon be available for sale. There will be kits if you happen to be going to Knitter’s Connection next month!
Back to the story – I was checking out how many downloads I’ve had (of my free patterns) and it was really surprising. It’s practically summer but 9 people have downloaded it. Ok, this doesn’t seem like a lot of people but when I put it up, 1 person accessing it would have made me unspeakably giddy. 9. Yay! Imagine what will happen when it’s actually cold outside!
I derive so much joy from making things up as I go along that the concept that other people will want to make them sometimes (momentarily) escapes me. It shouldn’t because I buy books and patterns too but I make them up far more often than I follow them. There would be quite the collection of printed matter out there if I wrote down everything I designed.
So welcome to my new blog. I’ll work on keeping it reasonably up to date and picturesque.
Back to the story – I was checking out how many downloads I’ve had (of my free patterns) and it was really surprising. It’s practically summer but 9 people have downloaded it. Ok, this doesn’t seem like a lot of people but when I put it up, 1 person accessing it would have made me unspeakably giddy. 9. Yay! Imagine what will happen when it’s actually cold outside!
I derive so much joy from making things up as I go along that the concept that other people will want to make them sometimes (momentarily) escapes me. It shouldn’t because I buy books and patterns too but I make them up far more often than I follow them. There would be quite the collection of printed matter out there if I wrote down everything I designed.
So welcome to my new blog. I’ll work on keeping it reasonably up to date and picturesque.
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