Goal Check In

So how have I been doing on this month's goals?  Well...pretty ok, actually.  Yes, I have a bunch of loose ends to tie up before I can go crossing everything off my list, but that's alright.  That's what this last week is for right?  

In case you need a little pick me up, my Hello flat card (above) is available in the shop, and would love to go home with you.  I'll also be adding a few other cards as soon as I get them.  And hopefully I'll have a few exciting announcements by the end of the month as well!

Yarn!

image from "A Yarn Outlet"

I got my yarn!  Its all so pretty.  I bought skeins from three different shops on Etsy:  

•Baby Bamboo Yarn in Cream from A Yarn Outlet. 

•Patons Soy Wool Solids in Natural Snow from West Michigan Crafts.

•And a Hand Spun Mini Skien in White from BaanananeWoolWorks.   

Of course I'll need a lot more to do a whole blanket, but this is good enough for now.  I'm going to start over the weekend. Or maybe tomorrow-- we're playing hooky and driving off to Vermont with the Mister's family for a weekend of skiing.  Or as I like to call it, A Weekend of Sitting in the Hot Tub.

I'm still here...

Just up to my eyebrows in Oscar Cookies.  Its that time of year.  

Since Christmas, I haven't had a big, fun crochet project to work on.  I am working on a pair of fingerless gloves for myself-- but that's not Big.  Ever since looking through Simple Crochet-- which I should really just buy already-- I've been wanting to do a rug or some huge throw pillows.  But lately the cold weather has made me wish for an extra blanket to have around.  That would be big.  

So I'm thinking either a ripple pattern or maybe this one.  I want to use all kinds of white yarn-- weights, shades, wool/acrylic etc etc-- I'm thinking the color, and the pattern will be the unifying factor.  (I've been perusing Etsy for yarn and I'll post photos when I get some.)

This seems like a relatively stress free project, considering its size. I imagine being able to do while watching a movie, as opposed to being glued to the pattern, avoiding distractions at all costs. Hopefully the different kinds of yarn will make it interesting enough that I don't feel like I'm going to die of boredom.  That's the trick for me-- finding an easy enough pattern so its fun to do, but with some kind of interesting element so you don't feel like its taking forever.  Or so you don't notice that its taking forever.

I also want to try a sweater. But that seems too Big.

Handmade Goodies, Part II

Here are some of the stores and sellers I got wonderful gifts from this season.  Going through the list I realize they are not all strictly handmade. But I did try to stick to smaller, cool businesses, for the most part.   Oh the wonderful Tiny Showcase:

Gorgeous letterpress print, "Goes to Show You What a Moon Can Do 2009 Lunar Calendar", by Alec Thibodeau for my brother, Will. 

And another letterpress print, ""Homage to the Stamp" by Gavin Potenza:

(I was a smart cookie and ordered early, so we got "A Field Guide to the Stamps of the World" poster as well.  Its pretty sweet.)

Poketo wallet:

This one is part of a series they did in collaboration with 826LA.  It was for my friend Jane, which was perfect as the story on the back features a "girl named Jane...[who]was 18 and lived in New York City."

The Curatorium is my new favorite store in Providence.  It is filled to the brim with amazing stuff-- at all price ranges-- and they must change the shop around almost every day, because every time I go, everything is in a completely different place. And I've been going a lot.  Here are the highlights:

Bamboo sporks by Bambu made for some great stocking stuffers.

Cardboard Deer Bust for my brother Sam.  Or did I get the moose?  Man, I am really wanting ALL of these.  (You can find them online at PopDeluxe.)

Twig pencils:

Hokusai paper diorama by Tatebanko.com:

It comes packaged flat and actually looks pretty cool even before its cut out and assembled.  From their site: Hokusai himself did “Tatebanko paper sculpture” in those days and we are celebrating this well-known masterpiece with our owninterpretation. Hokusai Tatebanko remix!

Another store I went to a lot is just up the street from The Curatorium: Benefit Street Antiques. (At least I think that's what its called.  Unfortunately, I am horrible at paying attention to silly things like, um, names.  However I do know its on the corner, and next to Cafe Zog, and across the street from the more hip antique store on Wickenden Street.)  Its one of those stores that looks too pretty and upscale to be able to afford anything in.  And that's kind of true, but tucked between the gorgeous furniture and sparkly chandeliers, were the coolest treasures. Small paper mache boxes, carved wooden deer figurines, teacups, handkerchiefs.... so fun! Definitely check it out if you're in the area.  And I did not take pictures of any of it..

And of course a couple of Etsy sellers!  (For all my goings on about  buying handmade etc, you'd think there would have been a long list.  There isn't a long list because I was a moron and forgot about shipping time. NOT because I don't have a long list of people I love buying fabulous goods from. SO  I resolve to start earlier this year!  Thanksgiving v Christmas be damned.) 

The hilarious Six Pack temporary Tattoo from Temptuous Tatts :

They are even more hilarious when your brother returns from a party sporting said tattoo. Believe me.

And the gorgeous "Pocket Theater Pop Ups,  Night Journey" by Roadside.

Check out Roadside Projects Blog for more information and inspiration.  She does all kinds of cards, flat prints of her originals, and custom work!  I especially love the family portraits.

Alright back to the perfect drawing-gloomy-day.

Homemade Goodies Round Up, Part I

Some homemade holiday gifities: While I'm still learning to actually read a pattern, I've been really enjoying crocheting.  Just simple things, but I think they came out pretty cute. I made a bunch of fingerless gloves-- Big ones, for the Mister's Dad:

And several little ones, for smaller hands:

Those striped ones are for a certain little guy, who just became shy about wearing his favorite color pink to school. (Which makes me sad, but that's a whole other story.)

And a wavy scarf for the mister's mother:

I wanted to make more of these felt letter ornaments, but I left if to the last minute and ended up only whipping up a few.

They were so easy, and I really liked how they came out.  I wish I had made more of them. Next year!

I did end up making those mini meringues, but I chickened out on the marshmallows.  

(But my mom and I must have been on the same wavelength, cause she made a few batches.  So I got to snack on hers!  Marshmallows melting in coffee= yum! Who knew? )  If you haven't ever made meringues, I recommend it-- they were so easy! 

Here are the goodies all packaged up-- meringues, cookies, coconut macaroons, and some Trader Joe's Hot Chocolate. 

I'm still gathering up the names of all the sellers I bought wonderful things from this season.  I'll post about them tomorrow!

ergh.

Ever have one of those days...? I had one today. NOTHING worked.  I didn't get much done.  Very, very frustrating.  Especially since I started the day all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I did not see a basically wasted day coming.   But this is making me happier!:

So cool, right?  Its from Anna the Red's Bento Factory blog.  She catalogues her amazing bento box creations on her blog.  There's even one of the Spirited Away characters.  So great.  I do a lot of cooking and tend to take special care in how everything looks and is plated ( ahem, picked that up from Top Chef.)  But obviously this is taking it to a whole other level.  Even past your typical, awesome bento box presentation.  I think I'd have a hard time eating these though.  It'd be kind of heart breaking, wouldn't it?  Or just super fun...Thanks Shelterrific for the tip. 

And... Another late birthday post.  Happy, happy birthday, Mr Henry Lincoln Jr.  

I miss you and your lady friend.

White white white

It just started snowing about a half hour ago!  Really snowing.  I gotta say I was pretty skeptical about this whole snowstorm thing.  I heard bits about it on the radio, Portland crafters have been posting about their snow for days, and friends here have been planning around it.  But I figured I believe it when I saw it.  This morning I had a few more Christmas-y errands to run, and fortuitously decided to get them over with, rather than wait 'till later.  And I'm a lucky girl: snow started to fall as I pulled out of my last parking lot, on the highway back home I had to turn my lights on and now, about 30 minutes later, snow is covering everything.  I love it.  

This is after 15 minutes of snowing:

There's gotta be at least a couple of inches by now.  So I guess this means more wrapping and gift making and crocheting and baking. YAY.  

I couldn't get these coconut macaroons to photograph well, but they sure are yummy!

As you can see, Saulie insisted on supervising our batch.  (The gift macaroons are kitty-help/cat hair free.)

I used Martha's recipe.  I am also going to try her homemade marshmallows.  Um, without a candy thermometer. ergh.  Though I did find this site and I think its going to be really helpful, and its basically making me brave enough to try.

The wonderful Mr Bittman has inspired me to make mini meringues as well.  I'm going to try vanilla, chocolate and pink peppermint flavored one.

Ok! I guess I better hop to it!

Warm Colors and the Exorcist

     I've been thinking about the Exorcist a lot.  Mostly because our newest kitty  tends to act possessed in kind of a scary way.  I think she must be a big fan of that film, as she spends lots of her time perfecting satan-spawn growls.  Though, to her credit (and assumedly ours,) they are becoming less and less frequent.  

Anyhow, thinking about the Exorcist, led me to thinking about Fall colors.  (The first part of the film has the loveliest colors in it. )  I looked to see if I could find any stills from that part of the film--you know, sans drooling little girl.  But no one seems to be interested in that part, at least visually.  Which is too bad.  So I looked up some fall 70's photos on Flickr.  

    

I think they'll make really great color sources.  I get stuck with color a lot and I forget that using images like this is a good way to figure it out.  

  

  

Looking for Fall

Last night, while putting away my clothes in my new bureau, straight from my parent's attic, (thanks guys!) I noticed that I own five pairs of black tights. Five. This is funny for a few reasons--1. I own a million dresses and skirts just waiting to be paired with black tights, and almost every day find myself in a pair of jeans. 2. I've decided that this fall I will be rocking all those skirts, with said black tights, and boots. 3. Its ridiculous to have five pairs though, right? Anyhow, I just ordered this pencil skirt from Liinok. I know, you may think from the above statement that the last thing I need is another skirt.  But I'm really excited about it. She makes each one to order. Its denim, it has pleats and a wide waist band.

I can't wait for it to get here.  Its just thing to turn me into a skirt-wearing, Providence-living lady.

Nest Update

I think I've redeemed my Nest project.  It wasn't going so well.  But I found this pattern on CrochetMe.com, which I love.  And its actually looking good.  Its basically a paper chain you used to make when you were a kid, but with yarn.  And because I'm using such bulky yarn, it looks more like a braid than a chain.  I love that.  I'm really excited about it.

Whoops! I wrote that in the middle of July and thought I posted it.  I was probably waiting until I had some images to go along with it.  And now I do!

Anyhow.  I finished it:

 

And I think it looks great.  Its too short to tie, ( its a scarf-lette after all,) but you just take one end and tuck it through one of the loops and you're all set to go.  Actually I think its nice its not too long-- this way it keeps you warm without getting in the way.  I hope it makes someone happy.  I'm going to try my hand at a cowl hood again and then send them off to Nest.

The pattern is by torirot design.  Besides this one, she has lots of other great patterns on Ralvery-- check out those lizard mittens!

Ergh

Sooo. The cowl/hood project: em not going so well.  I fell in love with this grey purple wool-ease yarn and decided that it was fine that it was "super bulky weight." (The color is called Fig, how was I supposed to resist that?)  I'll make it work! Um not so much.  Right now I have the beginnings of a pretty stiff, armor-like, cowl.  yeah.  So I'll be pulling it out and making a regular short scarf-- the kind that has a little button so you can fasten the ends together.  And maybe some wrist warmers too.  I think that will work ok.  

Incidentally have people tried Ravelry? Its pretty fun!

Nest

I just found out about Nest: Bringing Warmth Home  ( from... some where-- I can't remember.)  From their site: 

Nest seeks to connect knitters and other fiber enthusiasts with people in need of warm items for the coming winter... Use whatever pattern and natural fiber you like. We are looking for hats, fingerless mitts, mittens, cowls, and scarves for all ages.

They're based in Maine and plan on distributing the warm items by the middle of September. So the deadline is September 1st!

 I think this is such a good idea.  I'm going to buy some yarn today and start on a cowl hood and maybe some fingerless gloves-- two projects this pattern-phobe/novice crocheter can handle.  I'm a little late in the game, but I can finish something by then.  

Check out their site for more details.

UPDATE: I just got back from the store and realized my new yarn is the same purpley grey color as the sand dollar-- I knew that image would fit in somehow.

I Crochet!

So this past winter I picked up the book Kids Crochet by Kelli Ronci.  For a while now I've been jealous of various people in my life who are avid knitters.  And not just ordinary knitters-- You should see what Mandy made me for Christmas!  Its ridiculous! and deserves its own post, which it shall have. So you'll have to wait for photos.  Though you can see more of her ridiculousness at her blog, This is Knit. I mean, a tweed 1930's coat?! Argyle this and that?! Are you kidding me? No, she's not kidding.  Anyhow, these people happily tote their amazing knitting projects here and there, and I'm left feeling lame that knitting and I never clicked.  Though all of these people have tried.  They really have.  But then I discovered that book. (I'm pretty sure I have Lena Corwin to thank for that.  Her drawings are so lovely...I'm drawn to everything she does. ) I don't know why, but crocheting feels so different to me. More manageable somehow.  Nice and relaxing.  In a flurry of productivity, I even made a few crocheted Christmas presents.  It was very exciting.  But, here's the confession: I never actually learned to follow a pattern.  Um.  For some reason that's been really daunting to me.  I'm so happy to learn new stitches and kind of figure out how to cobble things together and make stuff up as I go. But start-to-finish directions, uh no thanks! not for me apparently.

But then I decided to make a little baby bonnet/hat.  And the whole cobbling-things-together method was suddenly frustrating and just not cutting it.  So at the library I picked up this kind of-- well, I'm sorry to say it-- dreadful looking, little book at the library.  ( Is it just me, or is crocheting just catching up to the hipness that is knitting at the moment? Not to be a huge snob, but who is designing these books?!  Color blind people, who for some reason want crocheted mouse pads and shrugs circa 1987.  Anyways.)  However gross the various projects looked, the directions were really great, and that's what counts anyway.  And it had the baby cap pattern I've been looking for!  

I decided I was going to follow the pattern exactly.  I understand this might seem like a no-brainer for most people, but its new territory for me.  I measured the gage. I bought a new hook so I had just the right size.  I counted stitches.  I learned a new stitch... And it seems to actually be working!  

At some point this:

Will turn into this:

I just know I can do it.