these things, they make me smile

11.28.2008

knitting plaid bed

::yarn
::singing
::gardens
::moka pots
::burt's bees lip balm
::crocheted necklaces
::prints
::leg warmers
::wool scarves/cravats
::my blue 50 cent sneakers
::nature
::long hair
::short hair
::fair trade coffee beans
::the smell of freshly ground coffee
::hand written letters
::red wine
::wool skirts
::real christmas trees
::"charlie brown" christmas trees found at garage sales for $5 and used for 15 years
::"how-to" books
::vinyl records
::french press
::leather riding boots
::linen
::hand-made
::dandelions growing through cracks of concrete
::kittens that like to snuggle
::people who like to hug
::wool stockings
::flannel sheets in winter
::hot tea
::cold cheeks to kiss
::old books
::walking
::swimming in lakes
::old quilts
::dancing
::the quiet of late night and early morn
::breakfast
::gin + tonic
::old buttons
::printed fabric
::pretty old dishes
::and you

it's gettin' colder

11.18.2008

mismatched, but cozy
{mismatched, but cozy}

Today I wore a summery skirt, just because I felt like it. Pair it with some thick leggings and voila! Summer skirt turned winter skirt. I want to get wool tights, though. That would be so nice.

spring skirt::winter skirt

Look! The kitties want a peek!

stitch

Got this magazine a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to look at it a lot. There are two skirts in there that I want to make up for the winter. I am thinking wool and corduroy. Yesterday I picked up a corduroy skirt and a bias plaid Christmasy looking skirt at Salvation Army. All together it was something under $5. That felt good. They need washed, though. And I might change the lining in the cord skirt. I love winter clothes and bundling up. I'm still knitting up a storm, but have decided I'm a very loose knitter. I think I need to use needles two sizes smaller than the patterns recommend. Luckily, the garment I am knitting right now will look nice in the looser knit, so it should be fine.

Stay warm!

working girls

11.17.2008



I love this image from Shorpy. And this and this one. Hope you are having a nice Monday!

knit knit

11.14.2008

yarn love
{from webs.}

Look, more yarn! It's always fun getting things in the mail. I also stopped by our LYS to pick up a few needles and a few more skeins for presents. I'm getting excited about making gifts this year, though I just hope I can get it all completed in time! Tomorrow morning I'm off to make more gifts at a local shop. I hesitate to write what it is I am making, though. I'm not actually sure who all reads my blog! :)

By the way, thank you for all the blog love recently! I love it when those of you who read my blog write and let me know who you are. It's nice to know people actually read my blog and find it somewhat inspiring.

A few of my favorite blogs and some I recently discovered:
An interview.

Have a lovely weekend!

knitting goodness

11.12.2008

making the cap with double point needles

I still haven't quite recovered from the weekend. Abby mentioned in her blog the other day about feeling like you need a vacation after a vacation. I agree. It is hard to get back into the swing of things after I'm away from home, even for a couple of days. And it doesn't help that it's been rainy, dark and dreary around these parts all week. I'm tired of it! To lift my mood, I knit this hat. But somehow I messed up and it ended up being pointy on top. I guess I wasn't thinking straight when I was decreasing! To fix it, I just added a tassel and voila! Instead of "Le Slouch" it's now more like "Le Elf." Actually, it kinda looks like one of those white chocolate candy kisses. :) I used a lovely skein of wool/silk yarn I picked up when I was in Chicago. I was worried I wouldn't have enough, because there was only 130 yards and the pattern calls for something like 200 yards, but I ended up having plenty. I used size 9 double point needles and it's definitely big enough for my head, maybe a bit too loose. I haven't blocked it yet and could probably make it just a tad bit smaller. I should have used my size 8 double point needles like the pattern calls for, but they were being used for another project. So I cheated. heehee.

"le slouch" turned "le elf" with tassel

You'll have to forgive me for the poor quality of picture here and my messy sewing room in the background. I don't know why I even bother to take pictures when it gets dark out. The lighting is horrid.

hand dyed wool by linda little

I picked up this yarn at the living history event I attended over the weekend. A lady who attends several of our events likes to hand dye her yarns with natural dyes and she also spins (though these yarns are not hand spun). I wanted to swipe every skein of yarn she brought with her, but I resisted. By the time I got around to purchasing some, most of them had been taken anyway, but I did end up with some lovely colors. The red and pink will probably turn into striped leggings and the green I am thinking of making into some toasty wrist warmers as a gift. We'll see, though. I may decide on another project for them. But they are soooo soft and lovely.

Tonight the Pioneer Woman updated her terribly addictive love story. Hey, what girl doesn't like a good love story? And it's a true story to boot. I'm hooked. And she keeps you hanging! For months at a time! It's cruel. Then again, it's worth the wait, 'cause it makes me feel all warm and gushy after I read it. Tonight I went over to the sitting room, turned on a lamp so it has that cozy warm lighting. Curled up on the couch and read the next chapter. I know I know, I'm pitiful. Well anyway, I'm off to try and be more productive. I'm trying to think up ideas and it's been slow going today. Maybe tomorrow the rain will stop pouring down. I hope! Take care all and stay cozy!

going for a walk

11.07.2008

I have a bit of time before I hit the road, so I'm sharing a few pictures from my recent walk. Today is rainy, but a few days ago it was gorgeous out. I ran out the door right when I finished my work for the day. It felt so good.

going for a walk

going for a walk

going for a walk

going for a walk

going for a walk

I'm listening to Sarah Wood. She's lovely.

weekend jaunt

IMG_6485
{Boonesfield, November 2007.}

I almost forgot to mention I'm going away for the weekend! I cannot wait! I'll be out in a lovely little village outside St. Louis. It's the most beautiful place. There will be banjo lessons, sewing, knitting, laughing, possibly some weeding in the garden, Thanksgiving dinner, singing and dancing...! It's just what I need and it could not have come at a better time. Funny how these events tend to do that for me. :) I'm sure I will be taking loads of pictures. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

go vote!

11.02.2008

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and a happy Hallowe'en! We went out and watched a scary movie. Good times. I was pretty happy on Friday not only because it was the beginning of the weekend, but also because I gave myself a new schedule and actually stuck to it. I've written my schedule and placed it right in front of my desk so every time I sit down I can see it staring me in the face. Every day I am faithful to it, I'll put a star on the calendar. May sound silly to some, but I think seeing a bunch of stars in a row will be just enough to encourage me to keep going. And I know others who do this and have said it works. I've also picked the time in the day when I can work better (which happens to be the morning) and that's when I'll get all my productive work done. The afternoon I'll spend on emails, paperwork and all that good stuff. And heck, maybe I'll have time for a walk before it gets too cold outside. Annd I'm hoping to have a little time each day to work on a project (sorry, you'll have to wait and find out). It's a little something I've been wanting to do for years, but kept telling myself I didn't have time. Well, by George, I'm gonna make time!

Well I have to scat, but I hope everyone goes out there and votes today, if you haven't already! I voted absentee, as I wasn't sure I'd have the chance to go vote today. I'm excited to see the results! Not to mention I won't miss the political ads and the million and one phone calls when the election is over. I WILL miss the SNL skits, though. Those I will never get tired of. Almost makes election time worth it. Take care all and make something with your hands! :)