Saturday, August 29, 2009

My studio

Today, is a typical fall day...lots of rain and wind. It's really cold too. So I thought I would tell you about my workspace a little bit.

Since both of our children have left the nest, almost a year ago, I have slowly been organizing my studio for all my crafting projects. I have a wonderful work surface near a large window, providing me with lots of natural light.

I have the perfect view of nature and the beauty that each season has to offer. I did not want to cover this window with curtains so I decided to hang my colection of glass balls.


Over the years, I have collected five of these glass balls, They vary in size and texture. They are all transparent except for one. That one is super heavy and is navy and gold.
My favorite one is the large pink and orange one. I bought it on a girl's weekend at a cottage in Maniwaki, Québec.
They are hung from the ceiling with nylon thread. The kind that is used for fishing lines.


I would love to add more, maybe eventually cover the entire window...wouldn't that be great!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Banana soft wrap

I knitted a wonderful easy project late last winter. It has been in my armoire since then. I guess that with the cool weather coming in, I got thinking that I should not let it sit there any longer.
I finally got around to blocking the mohair/acrylic blend triangular shawl this weekend. I blocked it on the bed in the guest room. With the fan on and the open window, it dryed very quickly.

Such a great project knitted on large needles in a stockinette stitch. Simple, light and airy is the result. The color is really a light banana yellow.
I have decided that I will put this shawl in my Etsy shop. (I own quite a few shawls allready!)
You can see it here. It would make a great Christmas gift for that special someone.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

New style

I have introduced a new style of hat. This little hat actually came about as an accident...I was not concentrating on my knitting and made a couple of mistakes while making the crown of the hat thus extending the 'stem'. I actually like the little curlycue on the top. Hat is made out of 100% lambswool...extra soft for baby's head.
I am heading out of town for three days to a huge meeting. I will bring my knitting along of course...working on a pair of fingerless gloves. I should have pictures to show you on the weekend.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Getting new yarns ready

With the fall and winter seasons coming up, it's time to start thinking about knitting and crocheting projects.

Dare I say, even to start planning our gifts for Chritsmas?

Well, I am starting to think about it...

Last year I made several pairs of socks to give away. This year, I am thinking of making fingerless gloves.
I am getting some very pretty yarns ready for my Etsy shop. I will try out these yarns as well just to see how they knit up.
Here is a green lambswool drying.
And here is a great wool/acrylic yarn also in a green shade. This yarn is somewhat thick and thin and will give a wonderful texture to any project.


I will let you know when they are available and what knitting projects I will get going in the next few weeks!

Have a great Sunday...very hot here...I hear the pool calling me. Ciao!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Please, may I have more socks!

My hubby loves his knitted socks. They can be done in any color and he will be happy...well maybe not any color! He wears them all fall and winter long.

A few weeks ago, he mentioned that he would really like to have a new pair of socks. I know he is allready thinking of his fall activities!

I had this wonderful yarn in my stash in a burnt orange color, almost rust. It has flecks of colors throughout the yarn. Flecks of green, red and gold. It is a great fall color.

The yarn is 80% lambswool (no wonder it's so soft) and 20% nylon (which should make the sock more durable).

I had borrowed the Ann Budd Knitting socks book from the library. What a great book. It has so many details and great explanations.
I decided to give this yarn a go using one of the patterns in the book.

I used 5mm needles and a made the socks a smaller size than usual. The sock is a perfect fit and very comfortable and soft.
I still have some of this yarn available in my Etsy shop. It is reclaimed yarn from a nice sweater I took apart. It would be great for socks and so much more!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Puppies and water!

We have two Golden retriever puppies. Both females come from two different litters. They are 3-1/2 months old and are into everything!
This is the entertainment every night out on the deck.




Chabichou (Chabi) is the one that puts her whole face underwater! The other one, Corky, love to participate and watch Chabi make the mess.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Gone allready!

I went to a baby shower yesterday for one of my cousins. They are expecting a girl in a few weeks...so what would be a good gift for a little girl born in the autumn?


I was going thru Itty-bitty hats by Susan B. Anderson and found the perfect little hat!



An Upside-down daisy hat. So adorable and perfect for a newborn.

I hope they like it.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Featured on Bumblebeads Designs Blog


BumbleBeads has put on her blog, a wonderful line up of Pumpkin items including my little baby hat. Clic on her banner above and go have a look for yourself, this will certainly put you in the mood for Halloween.
Thanks BumbleBeads for including my little hat in your pumpkin selection!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Featured on The Hand Crafted Cottage!

I am featured on the blog of a Canadian cousin!
The Hand Crafted Cottage is a wonderful blog that pays hommage to everything handmade.
(Clic on picture to go to her blog)

Well, today she had featured my Etsy shop. The picture of several of my super fun fruit hats appears on this page. I appreciate the compliment and the exposure. The Etsy world is so vast and it is nice to have someone elbow some room for me!!
I had a good day today with two sales! That is a first for me!

Featured!

Good morning to all!
I am doing another little dance this morning as another hat has sold on Etsy!
The pumpkin baby hat is very popular. It will look great for the fall.


This time the buyer asked if I could make her a pair of matching booties. So back to the knitting needles and I think they turned out really well.



But to make it an even better morning, I have been featured on For the love of cute blog! A picture of my grape hat is posted on her Aug 3rd message along with other super cute items. I am so grateful for this kind of exposure as it could bring more people to my shop.

It looks like more rain again today, so knitting and reading weather for sure.

Have a wonderful day.