Wow- three posts in three days. Hopefully this makes up for the fact my blogging has been a bit patchy lately, due to work commitments (heading interstate for work for a couple of days each week really knocks about my work/life balance) and non-craft related lifestyle urges.
Some things I've enjoyed looking over this weekend:
- Backtack 3 gallery at flickr
- do it yourself property improvements here here and here (nice to know I'm not a lone crafter with the paintbrush)
- Jane’s creation and invitation to describe your own Urban Survival Kit
25 June 2006
24 June 2006
it's all about balance
It's an ongoing process, finding the right balance, and every now and then there are fleeting moments in life when you feel like you've found it.
Like last night as I stuck the first of my Nautilus socks, which I'm making with the Fleece Artist Purly sent me, into the kitchen scales for a weigh in (just making sure I haven't used more than exactly half of the yarn).
Perfect.
I'm also loving the texture and way the colour is knitting up (close up here). On to the second sock now.
Like last night as I stuck the first of my Nautilus socks, which I'm making with the Fleece Artist Purly sent me, into the kitchen scales for a weigh in (just making sure I haven't used more than exactly half of the yarn).
Perfect.
I'm also loving the texture and way the colour is knitting up (close up here). On to the second sock now.
23 June 2006
... and this just in...
Direct from Christine in Connecticut:
My sockapaloooza goodies!
Better late than never, I say. After all, in addition to some soft bright green socks (which make me think of warmer spring days, or the crunchy granny smith apples I saw at the market last weekend) she sent a Poncho book from the Vogue knitting series, a little green sheep stitch marker, some soap, some sock monkey instructions (that you can't see in the pic, and which I promise I won't turn handmade socks into!) and last, but defnitely not least, two skeins of multicolour Sundara Sock yarn.
I've been wanting to try some of Purly's goodness for a while, but keep on getting pipped at the post by other eager buyers (with similar colour tastes) who are faster on the buzzer than I am. It's also uncanny how well the colour Christine sent me (Banana Split) coordinates with the Fleece Artist yarn Purly sent me herself- very similar colours although with a different balance. lovely.
Thanks Christine and thanks for Alison for organising such an immense and fun swap.
My sockapaloooza goodies!
Better late than never, I say. After all, in addition to some soft bright green socks (which make me think of warmer spring days, or the crunchy granny smith apples I saw at the market last weekend) she sent a Poncho book from the Vogue knitting series, a little green sheep stitch marker, some soap, some sock monkey instructions (that you can't see in the pic, and which I promise I won't turn handmade socks into!) and last, but defnitely not least, two skeins of multicolour Sundara Sock yarn.
I've been wanting to try some of Purly's goodness for a while, but keep on getting pipped at the post by other eager buyers (with similar colour tastes) who are faster on the buzzer than I am. It's also uncanny how well the colour Christine sent me (Banana Split) coordinates with the Fleece Artist yarn Purly sent me herself- very similar colours although with a different balance. lovely.
Thanks Christine and thanks for Alison for organising such an immense and fun swap.
12 June 2006
Snow more Mr Ice Guy*
Gosh it's been icy cold around here this weekend. Perfect, given that it's been the annual long weekend marking the start of the Ski Season (and the Queen's Birthday).
Which made it a perfect weekend for an array of varied weekend activities, tidying up various loose ends, and starting a new winter scarf with some snowy white Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran tweed.
I was thinking of either a chunky ribbed scarf- perhaps in a Fisherman's Rib, or maybe Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style- thinking that the white whilst not being leafy, would show up the texture and pattern of the knitting. But somehow as I flicked through the Scarf Style my eye settled on Norah Gaughan's Here and There Cables. Much more appealing. More interesting than rib. Perfect in white.
The first ball or so really did my head in- such an intriguing cable- it's quite beautiful how the pattern unfolds. I still can't quite see what I'm doing, but I've learnt what to do, and the pattern miraculously unfolds as I knit away. Amazing. It's been a while since I've been so amazed by the knitting process. Such a refreshing experience.
*Not a phrase of my invention- rather, the clever tag line for the Friday morning snow report on RRR 102.7FM, which had me giggling for a few minutes as I ate my breakfast.
Which made it a perfect weekend for an array of varied weekend activities, tidying up various loose ends, and starting a new winter scarf with some snowy white Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran tweed.
I was thinking of either a chunky ribbed scarf- perhaps in a Fisherman's Rib, or maybe Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style- thinking that the white whilst not being leafy, would show up the texture and pattern of the knitting. But somehow as I flicked through the Scarf Style my eye settled on Norah Gaughan's Here and There Cables. Much more appealing. More interesting than rib. Perfect in white.
The first ball or so really did my head in- such an intriguing cable- it's quite beautiful how the pattern unfolds. I still can't quite see what I'm doing, but I've learnt what to do, and the pattern miraculously unfolds as I knit away. Amazing. It's been a while since I've been so amazed by the knitting process. Such a refreshing experience.
*Not a phrase of my invention- rather, the clever tag line for the Friday morning snow report on RRR 102.7FM, which had me giggling for a few minutes as I ate my breakfast.
9 June 2006
Mag swap
Just signed up for Cotton Strudel's Mag swap (enabled by Ms Nicole "Martha" Craftapalooza).
Must be a Friday night kind of thing: feeling dazed, long week at work, just surfing on the sofa, and the idea of a simple, fun, window shopping kind of swap really appeals. And I've found a blisteringly good mag shop near work where I'm sure I'll find something to suit any future swap buddy's taste.
You too can sign up here.
6 June 2006
"She can't bring herself to knit"
In the latest edition of In Style magazine, with Cate Blanchett on the cover, she reveals (amongst other things) that she can't bring herself to knit whilst hanging our on a shoot. There are just too many interesting people to chat to. So despite the fact that she buys yarn and needles and packs them into her bag, she never ends up knitting.
So sad. I think Cate's wonderful. I hope she manages to find a way to fit knitting into her life.
I've been fitting in a little bit of knitting. Just some more commuter knitting I'm afraid- despite the fabulous chilly weather we're having (perfect for curling up on the sofa in the evenings for a spot of knitting) there are too many other things to be done at the moment to fit decent knitting time in at home. My daily train commute is my version of Cate's time on set, and I have to say that mine doesn't offer the fascinating array of interesting people to chat to that Cate's sets offer. So I knit.
What am I knitting? Some socks (of course) with the Fleece Artist merino that Purly sent me. They started out as a Nancy Bush pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks, but after enjoying the picot top band I decided that I didn't really like the pattern of the leg. It just didn't do it for me.
So I frogged it and started on Anna's Nautilus socks. Much happier with this pattern. I like the way the purls and yo's and ktogs mingle the colours, and it's a really simple and quick lace pattern. And the yarn is absolutely divine to knit with. I'm sure Cate wouldn't be able to keep herself from knitting if she could get hold of some...
So sad. I think Cate's wonderful. I hope she manages to find a way to fit knitting into her life.
I've been fitting in a little bit of knitting. Just some more commuter knitting I'm afraid- despite the fabulous chilly weather we're having (perfect for curling up on the sofa in the evenings for a spot of knitting) there are too many other things to be done at the moment to fit decent knitting time in at home. My daily train commute is my version of Cate's time on set, and I have to say that mine doesn't offer the fascinating array of interesting people to chat to that Cate's sets offer. So I knit.
What am I knitting? Some socks (of course) with the Fleece Artist merino that Purly sent me. They started out as a Nancy Bush pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks, but after enjoying the picot top band I decided that I didn't really like the pattern of the leg. It just didn't do it for me.
So I frogged it and started on Anna's Nautilus socks. Much happier with this pattern. I like the way the purls and yo's and ktogs mingle the colours, and it's a really simple and quick lace pattern. And the yarn is absolutely divine to knit with. I'm sure Cate wouldn't be able to keep herself from knitting if she could get hold of some...
4 June 2006
Brushing up
We've been brushing up around here lately.
Instead of running along to the Handknitters Guild annual yarn fest today, I spent the day with Scott, painting the laundry walls. It's a project that's been hanging around for over a month now. Remember this?
The impetus to finally get on with it, was spending a day last weekend helping friends paint their home. There's nothing like the support of a team to get things done- If I hadn't helped to paint the one coat we applied to their two bedrooms, hall and lounge/dining room (including skirtings and a coat of enamel on the doors) I wouldn't have believed it. It only took us 6 hours! Lunch break included! It's amazing how fast things go when you're working together, feeding off each other's enthusiasm and sharing the pride as the transformation takes place. At the end of the day, Scott and I looked at each other and agreed that we really had to finish off the laundry. No more lame excuses to put it off for until "next week".
So, with a slightly smaller team, this weekend was spent working on our laundry. Not quite finished yet, (it's a bit more complicated than our friends' home- more coats, different colours and a large number of awkward corners for such a little space) but we have some momentum now, and I'm sure our small (but highly enthused) team will be able to polish it off very soon.
Instead of running along to the Handknitters Guild annual yarn fest today, I spent the day with Scott, painting the laundry walls. It's a project that's been hanging around for over a month now. Remember this?
The impetus to finally get on with it, was spending a day last weekend helping friends paint their home. There's nothing like the support of a team to get things done- If I hadn't helped to paint the one coat we applied to their two bedrooms, hall and lounge/dining room (including skirtings and a coat of enamel on the doors) I wouldn't have believed it. It only took us 6 hours! Lunch break included! It's amazing how fast things go when you're working together, feeding off each other's enthusiasm and sharing the pride as the transformation takes place. At the end of the day, Scott and I looked at each other and agreed that we really had to finish off the laundry. No more lame excuses to put it off for until "next week".
So, with a slightly smaller team, this weekend was spent working on our laundry. Not quite finished yet, (it's a bit more complicated than our friends' home- more coats, different colours and a large number of awkward corners for such a little space) but we have some momentum now, and I'm sure our small (but highly enthused) team will be able to polish it off very soon.
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