Sunday, July 13, 2008
My heavens, he's six.
We spent the birthday at Petroglyph National Monument counting millipedes, chasing jackrabbits and attempting to keep our eyes and mouths shut for 5 whole minutes while paying careful attention to the sounds around us. The suggestion of five minutes of silence was offered in the Junior Ranger Guide Book given to us at the park Information Center. Our silence lasted exactly 6 seconds. The guide book was evidently not written by a person who has ever spent time in nature with any real junior rangers.
At the end of the adventure, both my boys were awarded a very official Junior Ranger Badge and a Certificate. It was thrilling. A fabulous way to spend a day that I cherish with two of the people I cherish most.
Last weekend we drove up to Castlerock and Denver for family celebrations and to deliver a knitted hound to our new 5 month old cousin, Orion.
Pattern: The Handsome Hound
By: Lucinda Guy from Handknits for Kids
Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool Chunky, pea green 109,
Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Azul Profundo
needles: size 7
We spent the birthday at Petroglyph National Monument counting millipedes, chasing jackrabbits and attempting to keep our eyes and mouths shut for 5 whole minutes while paying careful attention to the sounds around us. The suggestion of five minutes of silence was offered in the Junior Ranger Guide Book given to us at the park Information Center. Our silence lasted exactly 6 seconds. The guide book was evidently not written by a person who has ever spent time in nature with any real junior rangers.
At the end of the adventure, both my boys were awarded a very official Junior Ranger Badge and a Certificate. It was thrilling. A fabulous way to spend a day that I cherish with two of the people I cherish most.
Last weekend we drove up to Castlerock and Denver for family celebrations and to deliver a knitted hound to our new 5 month old cousin, Orion.
If you've never driven between Albuquerque and Denver during spectacular thunderstorms, you really must. In particular, the stunning area between Las Vegas and Raton, where we saw rain streaming down across hundreds of miles and drove through rain so loud that we could no longer hear the kids asking us how much longer till we get there.
Pattern: The Handsome HoundBy: Lucinda Guy from Handknits for Kids
Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool Chunky, pea green 109,
Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Azul Profundo
needles: size 7
Aside from the ridiculous amount of time I spent finishing this baby up at the absolute last minute (in the car on the way to the shower, 45 minutes late), it was adorable and I was happy to see that it strongly resembles the baby's real live dog. The baby's parents naturally assumed that I had very thoughtfully and intentionally made the handsome hound in the likeness of their adorable little dog. I said nothing to dissuade them.
As for baby Orion, he immediately began sucking on the hound's protruding nose. Approval indeed.
As for baby Orion, he immediately began sucking on the hound's protruding nose. Approval indeed.
Labels: life in general, Toys
¶ 11:16 PM 4 comments links to this post
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Itchy Wool in June
It's a true sign of an overboard knitter that she is willing to pile stacks of wool on her sweaty lap in the middle of June. Even more proof of her devotion: wearing the itchy wool shrug on a 95 degree day.
Pattern: Top Down Shrug
By: Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli of Moonlight Stitches
size: 40-42
Yarn: New Zealand Wool Pak (formerly known as Baabajoes Wool Pak), blue
needles: size 13
The needles were too big for this yarn. The fabric is loose and lacks backbone. I think I'll reknit it with size 11 and knit the next size up. As it is, I just needed to finish knitting this quickly so I could wear it as a sample and offer it as a pattern choice for my first intermediate knitting class. The students chose between this shrug, a baby cardigan and a simple, but lovely shawl. All choices feature top-down construction. This shrug pattern is perfect for the class because it is offered in several sizes, and it gives instructions for three sleeve lengths.
Father's Day was an inspiring event around here. The big boy loves sewing pillows (thank you very much Montessori school), and he decided that his dad needed a new pillow with a pocket for keeping his guitar picks. The pocket came from the rear of an adorable pair of corduroys worn by both he and his brother. I was so attached to these trousers that I patched the knees twice for each boy and I was clinging to them for a memory quilt project that I'll probably never get around to making. Seriously, picture low-rise corduroy Levi's on a 2 year old!
Father's Day was an inspiring event around here. The big boy loves sewing pillows (thank you very much Montessori school), and he decided that his dad needed a new pillow with a pocket for keeping his guitar picks. The pocket came from the rear of an adorable pair of corduroys worn by both he and his brother. I was so attached to these trousers that I patched the knees twice for each boy and I was clinging to them for a memory quilt project that I'll probably never get around to making. Seriously, picture low-rise corduroy Levi's on a 2 year old!
Labels: crafty kiddos, sweaters for me
¶ 10:42 AM 4 comments links to this post
Sunday, June 15, 2008
lumpy beauty
Allow me to introduce my first-ever handspun yarn. I don't think I can sufficiently describe the pleasure I am deriving from this tiny skein of yarn. I feel very proud.
My teachers Consuela and Mary were very patient with me. I learned on my friend Tina's gorgeous patio . We sat there spinning, sipping wine, and nibbling on canoli and natillas for dessert with the Sandia Mountains glowing pink in the distance. My goodness.
Happy Father's Day!
Allow me to introduce my first-ever handspun yarn. I don't think I can sufficiently describe the pleasure I am deriving from this tiny skein of yarn. I feel very proud.My teachers Consuela and Mary were very patient with me. I learned on my friend Tina's gorgeous patio . We sat there spinning, sipping wine, and nibbling on canoli and natillas for dessert with the Sandia Mountains glowing pink in the distance. My goodness.
Happy Father's Day!
Labels: life in general, spinning
¶ 10:28 AM 3 comments links to this post
Friday, June 06, 2008
Snow Globes in June
Should the Man of Steel be encased in a plastic vitamin bottle and then showered with glitter? He seems so helpless.
After a very long quiet spell, I'm resurfacing to share a few irresistible things. The first, of course are the snow globes we made today. This was entirely the inspiration of my nearly six-year old. The Indian warrior and Superman figurines look really dazzling inside their new homes.
Another recent creative surge led me to a thrilling shopping visit to Purl Soho for fabric and the results are making me very happy. Check out the before and after:
The happiness is mingled with anxiety, as these chairs often snuggle up to the naked butt of a potty-training two year old. They are coated with three layers of scotch gard. Also, when the little guy is eating at the table, he gets to sit on this oilcloth-covered chair (as in: Guess what?! You are the luckiest member of the WHOLE family! You get to sit on the shiny, flowered chair!):
The knitting is constant lately. I can't mention all of it here, but here's a little something I've been adoring between big projects:
Bombyx Silk from La Lana. Dyed with lavender flowers.
More soon. I promise!
Should the Man of Steel be encased in a plastic vitamin bottle and then showered with glitter? He seems so helpless.
After a very long quiet spell, I'm resurfacing to share a few irresistible things. The first, of course are the snow globes we made today. This was entirely the inspiration of my nearly six-year old. The Indian warrior and Superman figurines look really dazzling inside their new homes.
Another recent creative surge led me to a thrilling shopping visit to Purl Soho for fabric and the results are making me very happy. Check out the before and after:
The happiness is mingled with anxiety, as these chairs often snuggle up to the naked butt of a potty-training two year old. They are coated with three layers of scotch gard. Also, when the little guy is eating at the table, he gets to sit on this oilcloth-covered chair (as in: Guess what?! You are the luckiest member of the WHOLE family! You get to sit on the shiny, flowered chair!):
The knitting is constant lately. I can't mention all of it here, but here's a little something I've been adoring between big projects:
Bombyx Silk from La Lana. Dyed with lavender flowers.
More soon. I promise!
Labels: crafty kiddos, dream swatch head wrap, home sweet home
¶ 2:53 PM 4 comments links to this post
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Three Simple Things to Knit
Very Simple PouchManos del Uruguay - Rose
Very Simple HeadbandThe Fibre Company Terra -Ash and Araucania Nature Wool Chunky - Orange
Very Simple Eyeglass CasePlain and Fancy Merino Wool - Magenta
I wanted to design something for brand new knitters who have had some practice knitting and purling and are ready for the challenge of a first project . Each pattern is simply a rectangle and includes only Knit and Purl stitches with no shaping at all and only a small amount of simple finishing.
I think brand new knitters need to have a sweet little project to look forward to at the early stages of learning. A small sense of accomplishment goes a long way.
These are quick projects for any knitter, beginner or otherwise, and would make beautiful gifts. In the near future, I'll be putting a link to this pattern's free PDF in my sidebar. If you'd like to see it now, here it is. It can also be found on my Ravelry page. Does that link work if you aren't a Ravelry user? I wonder.
My cousin's baby is still waiting patiently for his new log cabin pillow. Babies are so patient, aren't they? The baby's grandparents came for a visit this weekend and I was compelled to send them off with a little placeholder gift.
A cute-thing-until-I-can-finish-the-REALLY-cute-thing gift. Picture it much smaller and on an actual toddler (with a head). Sweet. I bought it at my favorite store ever.And in the not-so-simple column, I present this:
Pattern: The Inga Hat by Sheila Macdonald
Source: Ewenique Fiber - The Blog
Yarn: The Fibre Company Terra in Ash and The Fibre Company Road to China in Riverstone
needles: size 5
Source: Ewenique Fiber - The Blog
Yarn: The Fibre Company Terra in Ash and The Fibre Company Road to China in Riverstone
needles: size 5
Made for my dear, beautiful friend Celeste to give her love and strength as she fights a lousy illness. I hope she feels the love every time she wears it.
Labels: adult hat, simple knits
¶ 8:43 PM 6 comments links to this post
Monday, March 03, 2008
The Crazies
This has been one of those weeks wherein everything big has changed and now I feel like I don't even recognize my coffee cup . At least our house is still the same, but jobs are changing, schools are being researched intensively, big money decisions are looming and big risky adventures are being embarked upon.
I'm longing for the days when I would walk my one little kiddo to the park every sunny afternoon to play leisurely for hours.
I'm teaching a beginning knitting class at the art center down the road so most of my knitting is related to that class. I'm thinking a lot about how to make the class really fun and satisfying for the students (and for myself) and I'm knitting little samples like mad.
One of my dearest friends had a birthday this weekend and I didn't even call her...oh cruel time, how you escape me! I have almost finished her gift and I'll give a little hint of it here, even though I suspect she may see this.
Here's wishing for boring days.
This has been one of those weeks wherein everything big has changed and now I feel like I don't even recognize my coffee cup . At least our house is still the same, but jobs are changing, schools are being researched intensively, big money decisions are looming and big risky adventures are being embarked upon.
I'm longing for the days when I would walk my one little kiddo to the park every sunny afternoon to play leisurely for hours.
I'm teaching a beginning knitting class at the art center down the road so most of my knitting is related to that class. I'm thinking a lot about how to make the class really fun and satisfying for the students (and for myself) and I'm knitting little samples like mad.
One of my dearest friends had a birthday this weekend and I didn't even call her...oh cruel time, how you escape me! I have almost finished her gift and I'll give a little hint of it here, even though I suspect she may see this.
Here's wishing for boring days.
Labels: bags
¶ 9:34 AM 5 comments links to this post
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lucky me.
My trip was much better than I ever imagined it would be.
It was like I was moving in slow motion. I couldn't believe the luxury of not feeling responsible for anyone but myself for a few short days. It was like getting a cold drink of water after being very thirsty.
Then there was the sheer euphoria of seeing my boys run toward me at the airport. The little one was in his footie pajamas and a pair of cowboy boot puddle jumpers. They hugged me tight and for a long time and I sobbed. Sweet.
Both boys and their daddy drew me dozens of pictures and cut construction-paper hearts and taped them over the dining room threshold to welcome me back. They made me wait in the entryway so they could position themselves under it and yell SURPRISE, when I walked in. I sobbed more.
What a good husband I have. Someday, we'll travel to Philadelphia together and eat Indian food and Dim Sum and walk a lot.
Things that made me smile in Philadelphia:
My trip was much better than I ever imagined it would be.
It was like I was moving in slow motion. I couldn't believe the luxury of not feeling responsible for anyone but myself for a few short days. It was like getting a cold drink of water after being very thirsty.
Then there was the sheer euphoria of seeing my boys run toward me at the airport. The little one was in his footie pajamas and a pair of cowboy boot puddle jumpers. They hugged me tight and for a long time and I sobbed. Sweet.
Both boys and their daddy drew me dozens of pictures and cut construction-paper hearts and taped them over the dining room threshold to welcome me back. They made me wait in the entryway so they could position themselves under it and yell SURPRISE, when I walked in. I sobbed more.
What a good husband I have. Someday, we'll travel to Philadelphia together and eat Indian food and Dim Sum and walk a lot.
Things that made me smile in Philadelphia:
- Almond-stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon and topped with cabrales blue cheese at Alma de Cuba.
- Alma de Cuba
- Reading Terminal Market. Fabulous in every single way.
- Beautiful Historic buildings with placards dated 1750.
- Spending time with my dad. I love my dad.
- The Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft. An overwhelming concentration of talent and inspiration.
- Men in ties
- Espresso at La Colombe
- People calling me honey.
