Knitting Contessa

In Case you Missed the MOVE notice

2011-09-15T06:18:00.002-05:00

BEEP BEEP MOVING KNITTING CONTESSA===== this content will stay but the new blog will be rolling HERE (http://www.knittingcontessa.com). Hope you come hang out in the new digs!

Moving x TWO!

2011-09-14T06:13:00.010-05:00

And I'm off===== with a late lunch Tuesday sidestep for a Green Chili Cheeseburger. Not as good as my beloved Santa Fe but wonderful when hotel food is what you have to look forward to and the plate (and I don't mean lunch) is overly full!!

See you next week-Unless of course I'll see you at Blogher Handmade or The Creative Connection Event!---- I'll have lots to share!

And last but certainly not least BEEP BEEP MOVING KNITTING CONTESSA===== this content will stay but the new blog will be rolling HERE (http://www.knittingcontessa.com). Hope you come hang out in the new digs!

Let the Packing Begin-

2011-09-12T08:55:00.000-05:00

There is something about the start of the packing process that gets to me. Maybe it is like writing the first word on a fresh sheet of paper. I've upgraded the size of my suitcase and decided to check luggage. I absolutely HATE the mad shuffle to find an overhead bin when everybody else on board is hurriedly doing the same thing. So maybe a big carry on with 'essentials'---- and check my bag and call it good. I'm flying out through O'Hare, never a thrill to zoom through trying to make a connection and carrying anything extra!

I figured if I spread the packing over a couple days and had the luxury of leaving my suitcase open in the guest room I'd be more leisurely about it and wouldn't forget anything.

Except my shower cap, I always forget that!

in rememberance

2011-09-11T08:31:00.002-05:00

Less Sleep More Making

2011-09-10T12:03:00.001-05:00

Faithful readers will know that I don't sleep a heckuva lot anyway but until I get home from Minneapolis St. Paul and The Creative Connection Event I will sleep even less.

I'm a ghost blogger by trade, at least that is what one of my 'professional' hats are--- along with being consummately creative------ etc. Tons to do but the fun part of my List is to make some great jewelry to wear when the wheels touch down.

You know, it IS easier to have a little Creative Cross Training with jewelry rather than work on the languishing knitted shawl --- or even the crocheted cowls.

You Know What This Means Right?????

2011-09-09T17:22:00.000-05:00

The dress form out of the box and un-sullied.
We shall sully when I get back from The Creative Connection Event---
There will be Big Fun.
and a fabulous Tutorial!

Ruffle Questions

2011-09-08T15:13:00.001-05:00

I got some great questions about the post dealing with making ruffles yesterday. Thanks! One was a question that asked "what if the ruffle is too tightly gathered for the area I'm pinning it?" The answer is easy and slightly less so. The weight of your fabric and how tightly it is woven will have a lot to do with how fully your fabric strip is gathered. Please experiment first with a similar strip of fabric and try different things.

The best thing to do is to leave a very long tail on your thread when you cut it from the maching after sewing the ruffle strip. Then, if the ruffle is too tight, as you pin it along your item you can easily "un-ruffle" it as you go along. Nice and easy does it, and it is simple as pie.

Question 2 was how do I attach my ruffle. In the photo above, it is completely okay for the top edge of the ruffle to be raw. I ruffled it raw and pinned it onto the base raw. Then I use normal pressure on the foot, a normal stitch length and stitch over the top of the stitching line made when the ruffle was born. I'll go over the top of the raw edge with a simple machine overcast stitch when I'm done. If you have a double ruffle or turned down edge you stitch it onto your base in exactly the same way, the difference is that the top edge of your ruffle has been finished in some way. If you have a serger you can serge the top edge before ruffling allowing maximum fullness as well as a finished ruffle (assuming the bottom edge was narrow hemmed.) You'll see a line of air eraseable marker on the photo above. I measured the lines I wanted my ruffles to be sewn on and I butted the ruffles up to this line.

Remember, if you have a raw edge you can always sew the ruffle on 'upside down', and when you give the item a shake the ruffle will fall down over the raw edge. It's all up to YOU!

Do you have more than one ruffle? If you start from the bottom it is easier than if you start from the top!

Ruffle on!

Sewing Ruffles without a Ruffler Attachment

2011-09-07T06:40:00.006-05:00

Sewing a ruffle can be frustrating, especially when working on a long strip of fabric. Traditionally you run a line of stitching on the edge to be gathered using a long stitch length, then you have to pull that thread up and get it all even and not break the thread. The following method works for ME----- and might not work for you, or need a tweak or two along the way, but it is certainly worth the effort to put this into your bag of tricks.

The following works on 100% cotton fabric, pre-washed to remove all sizing. My fabric is 100% cotton Kona muslin with a 200 thread count.

Thread is 100% polyester, mine is Coats and Clark

the sewing machine is set up with normal tension, longest stitch length, slightly more than 1/4" from the edge

I sew with a Bernina 180, you can see the stitching position set "two clicks" from center

LOWER tension: I bypassed the slot that feeds/tensions the bobbin thread entirely. I use a "pigtail" case (sometimes known as an embroidery bobbin case) and after bypassing the slot I ran the thread through the "pigtail" to guide. I have used a regular bobbin case with the same technique and the result is a slightly tighter gather in the ruffle.

Place the fabric to be ruffled under the pressure foot set at normal pressure and sew with gentle tension on the strip

The photo above shows the ruffled fabric straight out of the machine!

The ruffle pinned right onto the anchor fabric---- no pulling needed! (Now if you need a super tight ruffle, you might need to pull that thread a bit but it is much easier!)

The technique applies when ruffling a single layer or a double layer (shown above). A double layer will be slightly less gathered because of the second layer of fabric coming through the machine.

Results will vary depending on the weight and fiber content of the fabric, experiment first!

I hope you're inspired to ruffle something--- at least get out your machine and putter around!

Don't forget to re-thread your bobbin case before you sew a regular seam or you'll be unhappily surprised!

In Praise of Good Sewing Thread

2011-09-06T05:15:00.003-05:00

I was reminded of the wonders (dare I say miracles) of good sewing thread Monday. Sewing was at its simplest, soothing, calming---- all because of thread. The fabric was muslin, my favorite muslin that I use almost exclusively, excellent Kona muslin all smooth and finely woven. Delicious really. A fresh needle in the machine (which quite frankly after looking at the photo could use a good cleaning!) and miles of straight stitching for narrow hems--- good thread makes the difference. Like many sewists I have a drawer-ful of thread. Some way too old, some fresh, some from the bargain bin, some fine quality--- some I don't even recall where they came from! The thread I used for the muslin Zen was Coats & Clark, a fresh matching spool. I have nothing but good things to say about it, and it had been a long time since I'd sewn with it, believe it or not! My seams are sturdy, I flew along the seams at lightning speed with nary a break or bobble, it even seemed to make the tension wonderful!

I'll be going through that drawer of thread soon and tossing out the old maids----- the less than quality thread. Once and for all! I'll replace my thread with nice fresh spools of quality thread. Surely my sewing will be all the happier for it.

The muslin project? Something delicious---- I'll be sharing along with a technique for one step ruffling on long strips of fabric without a ruffler attachment.

Labor Day Miscellany

2011-09-05T10:25:00.000-05:00

Labor Day carries with it old thoughts, old habits. At least for me. I find myself needing to get things organized, finished, prepared----- ready. Although tomorrow for me is certainly not much different than today or yesterday. Without being in school, or having kids in school, the day after Labor Day just means we're that much closer to fall.

Temperatures here in the good ole' Midwest are decidedly Fall today--- a high of 72, can you believe it? After 104 on Saturday it is fabulous. Summer temps will be back but for the moment it is lovely to dream with the windows open.

I'll be cleaning house a bit, catching up on my online classes and sewing an apron. It doesn't sound like a great day but it will be.

Hope your Labor Day is everything you desire!

Happy National Sewing Month

2011-09-01T16:50:00.000-05:00

National sewing month a thing to be celebrated?

ABSOLUTELY!

The observance of National Sewing Month began in 1982 with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan declaring September as National Sewing Month “In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation.”

I'm celebrating by ordering a dress form. I've wanted one FOREVER and am going to take a form, add padding and a heavy cover and make it totally mine and totally wonderful. Now

I'll have a tutorial on making you one too!

Now back to sewing, I hope to have some goodness to show you. (Hope being the operative word!)

Hope you do something Sewist today!

Whupped

2011-08-31T17:52:00.000-05:00

I am absolutely whupped. To go from the relative stop of vacation to warp speed is always tough but I feel as if I have not stopped a second.

Not much in the way of anything creative but that stops tomorrow because I have to start putting some things together in a serious way for The Creative Connection. I mean, I leave in two weeks. Gulp. There is fabric and notions and jewelry findings and shoes stacked to the ceiling in the creative space. It's a mess in there!!!

I do have a bit of a finished object, the second in the Christmas Pile It's the cowl turned headband I told you about last time. It's really so cute I think I'll make a lot more----- love me some quick gifts!

The photo above? Taken on a day when the weather was hot and the laughter was loud. We had such a good time that day---- friends, family and staffers all gathered to kick up our heels. Oh my.

The grindstone calls!

Is it Monday? Really?

2011-08-29T10:20:00.000-05:00

The weekend flew by, whizzaroo--- as always.

I was watching the hurricane coverage of course, I have two kids living on the East Coast. One ignored mandatory evacuation orders (to which I Facebooked about "some people" being a dumbass)--- and the other "lives in Brooklyn---- nothing happens in Brooklyn Mom!!" Well thankfully, both were safe and sound as were many friends who live up and down the east coast. My hope is that we do not have a Weatherman Cried Wolf scenario, you know how people can be.

While watching the weather coverage I stitched:

It's Pam Garrison's and cute as pie! I'm almost finished designing one of my own, also cute as can be, so check back!

My crocheting of a new cowl using Vickie Howell's Sheep(ish) in a loverly purple shade is going to be a stocking stuffer headband instead of the cowl. Crochet think IS exactly like Knit Think, why did I think differently???? More stitches need to be chained (cast on)--and the cowl will begin again.

So it's Monday, a fresh new week, gear up and go get 'em!

The Things

2011-08-25T12:17:00.000-05:00

Now that I'm back from vacation it seems like studio life (aka work) has amped up about 200%. Good news/bad news. Thank heavens I'm uber organized.

Just in case-- I'm planning to make a partial wall in the sewing room (happy creative hub that it is) a blackboard for notes and lists and happy doodling if the truth be told. With The Creative Connection less than 3 weeks away I have a ton of stuff to do. A TON. I got up super early this morning to start making this:

You can't even tell that it is a knit jersey cardigan, long and drapey with long "arms" in the front to mess with. And the color is a burgundy/wine color not that sicky color in the pic. I have one more sleeve to set in and then decide how to finish the edges. I know the current thing is to just leave 'em raw but I just can't do that somehow. Maybe lace (stretchy) seam tape and a simple turn back and topstitch. My next sewing will occur at 4 a.m. tomorrow so I'll let you know what I decide, although your suggestions are most appreciated!

AND speaking of a ton, balls.. but I gained EIGHT pounds on vacation. Sheesh. Now, I do gain a couple pounds by just driving BY a Krispy Kreme when the hot light is on...........but when my pants were tight this morning and I stepped on the scale the truth could not be denied. I'm okay with it, I mean I hate it but I had a really great time which involved:

Fried green tomatoes with vidalia onion relish at The Lady and Son's in Savannah (so good, really it's all I go for)--- and probably the most wonderful crabcakes ever at Barbara Jeans on SSI. It might have been the housemade ice cream, can you say maple bacon or green tea pear? Of course it could also be the seafood bonanza (a sin not to)---- or just the fact that too many days were spent doing jackshit. Like this:

Man, I miss the beach like crazy. It was so perfect!

By the end of today I will officially have caught up from vacation (because we all know that is the bitch, the catching up part)---- with work, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, picking up the mail at the P.O., and sorting through the mail.

Hope you're caught up too!

Home Again

2011-08-22T11:51:00.000-05:00

I'm home again. Instead of stopping en route the car drove straight home and by the time things were unpacked a bit it was 1:30 a.m. I'll be hanging on to that perfect vacation feeling as long as I can while still taking care of work.

What I can report is (as ALWAYS) I super dooper overpack the things I think I will do creatively. More than anything I read (beach time) and I did sketch/watercolor in my art journal. (Not that I don't have plenty to catch up on!) Knitting wise I didn't do too much, embroidery wise I only got the large "tree element" done----- and the only crochet I did was to make the hatband from locally procured yarn. Will I overpack for the next trip? Absolutely.

I missed the trip to the State Fair with knit group but can happily report back that Yo-El and Silvana both entered knitting items and won two blues and a purple! Silvana a blue ribbon in the sweater category for her gorgeous fair isle vest and Yo-El a blue in the shawl category and a purple for best in knitting for her lovely lace shawl. Definitely good stuff, congrats girls!

Back to work for me! Chin up and full steam ahead!

I'm GOING----- The Creative Connection

2011-08-16T22:02:00.000-05:00

I'm still taking surf and sun therapy (and it is lovely indeed) but while gone decided that I couldn't pass up The Creative Connection Event. If you're going let me know----- it would be great to meet up!

Okay, back to my regularly scheduled vacation!

I've fallen behind on my art journal----- but how much can you say about spending all day at the beach lazing, swimming, sunning, reading and listening to creative podcasts? Followed up by eating seafood. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Rolling Hills & The Road

2011-08-13T21:21:00.000-05:00

The road was long, the warrior tired. Good thing there is a beach, a bed and seafood. Not necessarily in that order.

Lessons (ongoing) learned to date:

There is always less time to work on "the stuff" than planned for. Never fails.
A clean car never stays that way for long.
I still love Grouper.
Always contribute to your local yarn shop!
No, I'm not going to wear a seat belt in my golf cart silly!
Hot on vacation is completely preferable to hot at work.

Knit on!

Heading Out

2011-08-10T20:09:00.000-05:00

I'll be heading out bright and early for a little well deserved vacay. I hope to maybe drop a line or some news from the road.

Count your blessings and pass one on!

First Crochet Project: Excitement over a Techie Cover!

2011-08-07T14:17:00.001-05:00

I'm almost embarrassed to share my total GLEE over my first crochet project! Class Project from the Vickie Howell class on Craftsy (which I totally loved)------ nothing special or fancy about it if you're a crocheter. To me, after YEARS (and I mean a long damn time) of not being able to crochet past a chain........... I can crochet! Gak, it's pretty fab!

C'mon, a little cozy for my Nook! Yay! Yarn is Knit Picks City Tweed in Habanero. Random brown yarn from stash to make the crocheted on little chain detail and finished with a huge wooden button, also from stash.

I'm giddy with it! Giddy I tell you! Next project, granny squares, then flowers............. I'm on a roll.

Got Summer?

2011-08-06T17:39:00.000-05:00

It's no secret I'm a big fan of Amy Powers and Inspire Co...... her e mags are OUTSTANDING. So much inspiration and happiness for such a weensy pricetag.

Do you have the summer issue? If not, run and get it! Fabulous.

Open publication - Free publishing - More crafts

Birth of a Hooker

2011-08-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

That doesn't sound good, does it? Birth of a hooker? But no less true.

Continuing in my creative cross training and out to slay a long term dragon with a toe hold---- crochet. More accurately, crochet that eluded me.

LOVING the online class at Craftsy, enjoying Vickie Howell very much------ and after a few really (really) bad attempts and efforts, I think I have myself together with single crochet.

Let the hooking begin. Next: Double Crochet (the extraordinary excitement builds....)

Rolling Hills

2011-08-02T09:19:00.000-05:00

Must be time to think about the vacay knitting project because

9 DAYS AWAY!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not that I'm anxious or anything.

While I still putter with the Eiffel Shawl I am planning on taking the fabulous Brooke Nico (From Kirkwood Knittery in Kirkwood MO) design, Rolling Hills Shawl. I was in the shop a while back and was blown away with the shawl in the store. It is FABULOUS. And I will further comment that the photo is yuk and phooey and does absolutely nothing for this gloriousness. The beauty is a looooooooooong (over 800 stitches cast on) stretch of lace border onto which you knit triangley shapes in different yarns it all grows together and each unit only requires about 30 yards of a yarn.

See? That's the shawl in the shop.. you'd never be tempted to slow down from that would you? The shawl has a great collar (a shawl collar, who knew?)---- that just wraps the whole thing up.

I'm using my find from The Loopy Ewe, the Madeline Tosh merino light in "Lichen" so my shawl will be deep olives, mid greens, purples from plum to wisteria and a little bit of black and brown in the mix.

And there with a lap full of cast on stitches (over 800 I like I said) is that very long needle and what will surely be hour long rows. Only the border I tell myself! Isn't the yarn gorgeous? You can see the range of colors that will be MY Rolling Hills.

Of course I always coordinate my attire with my knitting! Doesn't everybody????

Tisket a Tasket Damson in the Basket

2011-08-01T14:15:00.001-05:00

I am SO excited to get Damson not only off the needles (You remember the saga of sorrow and woe)--- and blocked!!!! Two ends to weave in and it's good to go. Delish!

The edging is pretty fabulous as well!

Nothing like a FO to make a girl happy!

And I almost have TWO! :) The other is a wee bit further from finished but I can see the end from here! It's Tisket a Tasket from Bunny Hill. I knew when I saw this quilt (a couple of years ago) I had to have it. And then the plans sat.... and I waited for the perfect fabric. That fabric was from Fig Tree and is "Breakfast at Tiffany's", probably my fave Fig to date.

And doggone if the photo isn't of less than fabulous quality but there you have it! I promise better photos from the Good Camera when it's done. It needs to be sandwiched with batting and backing---- machine quilted and bound. I'm thinking black for binding since it will sit on the wall it is on above. A little too close in the coral family for me, I'd like a darker frame.

So there you have it. Back to work in the real world for me.

Creative Cross Training: CROCHET!

2011-07-31T12:12:00.001-05:00

How many times have you heard me say "I don't crochet!". Lots. I can chain all day long------ but create something? No. And there are things I would love to make, but refer back to I don't crochet.

In the ongoing Creative Cross Training, I'm taking a CRAFTSY course (they all look fabulous) from the fabulous Vickie Howell. She's pretty funny within that 'has to be structured online course kinda' thing'. It's well produced, the customer service is awesome, and it is very well priced.

I'm all about well priced anything, it means you have more $$$ to buy supplies with!

Time to start the vacation countdown tomorrow, I've already begun to assemble the Happy Bag! (the Happy Bag is the bag that contains the art journals, the art supplies, the knitting, the embroidery, and now the crochet!) I travel with my laptop so I'll have teachers coming WITH ME on vacay to inject a little Creative Cross Training goodness on the road. The only thing I'm not taking in my beloved sewing machine but she'll be away at summer camp having a tune up. Besides which my two vacay traveling companions would probably draw the line there. When I won't be lazing on the beach with a book or walking into town down those lovely sandy roads for a bite, riding my bike around town, I'll be hanging out on the screened in porch knitting or crocheting or reading or journaling or painting or embroidering.

How many days? Even though there is a lot of work to be done in order to be able to take some time off, starting tomorrow I'm considering it all vacation. Otherwise it will be over in a flash.

Are you cross training? Would you like to?

Damson is blocking today----- and I'm getting the Tisket a Tasket blocks set with their happy blue and coral sashing----------

Where Women Create: The Big Event

2011-07-28T10:57:00.001-05:00

Surely I can't be the only one LAMENTING that I've been unable to make plans to go to Where Women Create, their huge Creative Connection event happening in Minneapolis on September 15-17. I wanna go BAD.

They're giving away passes for 2 and a hotel night------- hop on over and check it out. Even though I have already decided that I WILL WIN, you might as well have the chance too! :)

Can you imagine the creative goodness???????

I've been dreaming today, yes I have----- about how fabulous it would be to WIN a pass and hotel nights to the Creative Connection. Okay---- it was a real dream because I took a nap at my desk (the shame of it). And I hope my dream comes true.

Can you imagine being at TCC? Surrounded by Jo Packham and ALLLLLLL of those incredible, talented, creative people? I think my head would explode! I'd take my partner in crime along so that we could split it up, be the dynamic duo of trying to see it all and take it all in. We'd be armed with a camera and fresh batteries, a big fat journal and a fresh pen for notes and scribbles---- and of course I'd perform magic sewism to make something new and fabulous to wear. Every day. Well maybe not every day now that is just crazy. We'd meet up at the end of a day and have show and tell, a brain dump of gargantuan proportions. There's not a chance that sleep would happen so we'd probably talk all night. And PLOT. There is always the plotting.

I really, really REALLY want to go. Have I mentioned that before? Probably! :)

You can submit chances to win as well, and you should. Even though I've already decided that I'll be the lucky one. ;) At The Creative Connection website..................

Let's ALL go! The more the merrier I say!

HotDamson

2011-07-26T10:33:00.000-05:00

Damson is FINALLY off the needles, It has been ongoing for so long that I deleted it from my Ravelry queue so I'm not sure when I actually started it. I'd be willing to admit to longer than a year! She languished in a zippie bag on a holder for a long time until Emily took her to summer camp and got her back on track. Then the lace border was one row from finished and my brain just didn't wrap around it so Silvana showed me the true meaning of knit INTO that hole and don't worry about those 2 yarn overs.

She's bound off and complete ---- and I think she will be a Christmas Gift. Much as I love her, this labor of love really should go to someone I think. I'm thinking about it anyway.

Unblocked at this point HotDamson is bundled up with a wee packet of Soak to be washed and given a good block when my Mom leaves this weekend. No sense in losing the dining room table at this point.

That lacey edge is going to be so pretty when it's blocked!

Elizabeth (and Emily and Silvana) were right........... Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises!

It's Hot so I Must Be Cookin'!

2011-07-25T04:56:00.000-05:00

It is HOT, beyond hot really. Thank heavens I was not on the contract for Saturday's wedding where the reception was OUTSIDE! A normally lovely reception venue but the end of July? What could you possibly have been thinking? Horrible--- the staff melted and not in a good way.

I was a sewist in the moderate category. I have 2 aprons cut out, one is this little piece of frippery and one yet unmade from a GORGEOUS piece of Monica Solario-Snow's Happy Mochi Yum Yum from Lecien. (yum).

I think you can order in when it's hot if you wear a cute apron. Really.

Pretty simple stuff

serged edges with black

a little deco stitch on the waistband

Call it done

Apron and Art!

Where I'll Be Cross Training, aka Make Art!

2011-07-22T15:58:00.000-05:00

The Cross Training at Casita Contessa continues as I have le grande epiphany!!!! I am a cranky ole' B unless I'm doing something creative. My creative lovers shift, I am nothing close to true blue---- be it knitting, painting, mixed media, journaling, engaging in sewist activities------ I just need to be doing it. As I have explained to my family who wants me to fix, make and otherwise spend my time doing stupid stuff, that does not count.

I've been really good at my Summer Goals---- journaling every day, at least 15 minutes of self-care and at least an hour doing something creative. The kicker is that I am not willing to spend that hour at the end of my days when I'm tired and done in any longer. Under that rule of thumb I'm too tired to honor my creativity so I don't do anything. Not good on many levels, N'EST-CE PAS??

So, I'm spending a little time and money on me. I'll be taking an online course with the fabulous Christy Tomlinson starting Monday, her 3 Hearts Workshop. Christy kicked off my Cross Training when I took her She Art Workshop, that really opened my gates, heart and soul and art is part of my daily life. I have broadened by personal definition of art to be just about everything I do on a creative level.

I urge you to enter your own cross training no matter what YOUR ART is! Do something a little different, maybe something you've always wanted to do! Broaden yourself, Rendre l'art!! I'm even broadening my language--- in any form, MAKE ART!

Chalkboard Prophet

2011-07-21T20:07:00.000-05:00

Simon and Garfunkle said long ago that the "words of the prophets are written on the subway walls", and I'm always reading the signs left behind. The chalkboard prophet above actually left this message in a coffee shop ladies room.

Love it:

Never Lose Faith: Miracles Happen Every Day!

Cross Training Crafting Continues

2011-07-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

It has been a GREAT experience to fully experience other long neglected creative outlets---- I've been in the Happy Zone a LOT and after all, can we ask for more than that on most days?

I recently purchased the adorable stitch sampler from creative virtuoso Pam Garrison----- and have added by selections for colorful floss and some beads. I can't wait to begin it and really don't know if I'll start now or wait for vacation (and the inevitable drive time).

The sewing machine was purring last weekend and I finished the Shana Tunic from Sis Boom. Excellent pattern (purchased and downloaded fairly simultaneously), I love it. I have a couple more waiting in the wings.

Nothing in the world like a well drafted pattern---- it all went together so smoothly and was a pleasure to sew and to wear!

Jury Duty was yesterday and I was not chosen. Not a bad thing. So now I'm trying to check all the things off the list that have to be done.

and on we go..................... hope things are happy on your side of the screen! Are you cross training? Whatcha' workin' on?

What I believe about Pudding

2011-07-15T18:25:00.000-05:00

It's been a crapsnacker of a week. Truly. I'm keeping it together, and trying to channel my British stiff upper lip. This does however require some additional help.

PUDDING.

I believe pudding should be:
Tapioca
Cold
Double Thick to the point you can cut it like cake
plenty

--and pudding can truly save the world.

I'm in the all sorts of makery mode this weekend. That and pudding might set me to rights.

Knitters- Prepare to be JEALOUS!

2011-07-13T12:57:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday night a group of us knitterly types went to (wait for it) THE LOOPY EWE!

We had a GREAT time, despite the thunderstorms that came barreling through. Everyone has a bag of knitted goodness----- and we petted yarn all night! Fabulous!

The photo above was taken by Sherri herself---- we have all kinds of yarny goodness. We kind of look like drowned rats for pete's sake! Like yarn drunk, drowned rats.

I had a sighting of Madeline Tosh Light in the wild............. and could not resist her siren song! I purchased a nice fat skein in the colorway "lichen". It runs from a browny/black through deep greens with highlights of purples. It is GORGEOUS.

I'm knitting away on HotDamson and she's ten rows away from the lacy edging! I'd like then (very much actually) to finish Eiffel and move on to using the Madeline Tosh for a new shawl that I'll show off soon.

Isn't it true? Sharing and talking about it sometimes puts the pointy toed shoe in the pokey butt of a kntter.

KerSplat

2011-07-09T10:41:00.000-05:00

A week that was a nightmare for someone who works from her computer-- where that electronic notebook holds life itself, both personal and professional. My laptop was already on it's last legs, the blue screen of death coming with ugly regularity. Then.......... before the replacement computer arrived the unthinkable happened. I spilled a diet coke on my keyboard! After much cursing and the failed attempt at a mop job it became obvious that we do indeed have a problem. I'd backed up my files to a separate location, handwritten down passwords and things that needed to be kept "off site" anyway. When the old laptop started beeping wildly it also decided to do its own thing when a program (like Outlook) was opened. The short version is that things were deleted in front of my eyes, it was impossible to forward over emails and things, the Outlook backup was a big huge FAIL. Passwords were even changed!!! The end of the story is that now, a week later----- all seems to be as well as it is going to be. The most important things were saved or resurrected in some form. It has been a stressful, terrifying, horrible week. Blast technology anyway.

So today I'm "off", well not working 'on site' ----- and I plan to sew merrily away. The fabric that I purchased last week has been washed and ironed & is at the ready, the patterns printed out and taped into place. Now to decide what fabric to sew up first.......... which tunic shall be the first off the machine.

I'm also working on HotDamson, after a small setback that has had me wondering WHY this project makes me feel like a novice knitter!! On I push.

Vacation happens in a month (sigh) and my goal is to finish Damson and the Eiffel Tower Shawl so that I can start a new project, the Lorna Suzanne sweater. Of course the problem there is that I have ordered the color card and can't decide on a color!

what do you think?

I'm leaning towards a deep blue....... but the wine color is speaking to me as well. And then, there is the green.....

I couldn't make a decision before............ after my recent week I feel unable to string anything together!

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

Post Holiday Blogging

2011-07-05T10:48:00.002-05:00

Have I mentioned that it is HARD to get the nose back to the grindstone after a long holiday weekend? The difficulty seems commensurate with the enjoyment, and if this is the case then I had a LOVELY weekend! Which I did.

I did not knit one stitch. I had my knitting in my lap several times but no knitting was accomplished.

I did download a couple of darling tunic patterns, print them out and get the pattern puzzles set together, taped up and ready to go.
Fabric for the tunics was purchased, washed and ready to cut out
Naps were taken
I finished 3 mini canvases
put the new dust ruffle on the guest room bed
Made the cute little green and white valance for the dinner party bathroom
prepared and consumed a great 4th of July meal with family and friends
and generally enjoyed life in the summer

Having said all that now that I'm faced with a fresh workday (and halfway through it if I don't stop for lunch)--- I do feel really bad about the knitting because that WAS the plan after all. There was no bike riding because it was flat stinkin' hot------ and although I searched there was no washi tape or pretty twine found.

If nothing else, I've become happy to roll with whatever comes my way in the spirit of joyful flexibility. (Most times).

I'll get to knitting, really I will. HotDamson is calling me!

The photo above is the large 30x30 canvas I finished a few weeks back. I'm still crazy about it, and it's perfect in the room. Things that make you smile are good things indeed!

July 4th Weekend

2011-07-01T16:25:00.000-05:00

It's the July 4th weekend here in the US and around Casita Contessa it means that starting now (appx. 4:30 CST) work is done and I'm not due back for a showing into the real world until Tuesday, July 5th.

I plan on making a little valance for the powder room in my new favorite gray and yellow-

There will be some knitting on Damson, renamed HotDamson by the little shawls Camp Counselor, Emily.

And there will be some munching and drinking interspersed with a bit of shopping for some Washi Tape and pretty twine, green paint, still unpurchased and another handful of my beloved (and yet hard to find) Varsity fountain pens.

A few movies, maybe a bike ride if the heat would cool down a bit.

Hope wherever you are that your weekend is Way Past Perfect.

Swiftly

2011-06-28T11:07:00.000-05:00

A new item has joined the household at Casita Contessa! A SWIFT!!!!!!!!!! I've wanted one forever and ever. And more. Finally, the stars lined up I guess, I was searching on eBay and found an item getting ready to close, placed my bid and was rewarded by a well priced umbrella swift!

She's winding the gray laceweight for the Eiffel Tower shawl.......... amazingly easy! Anything is easier than winding a ball off of chair backs!

I still use the Dirter Method (said with full sound effect) as it really does give excellent control when winding a center pull ball. Slower, yes................ but it does wind a nice useful and well tensioned yarn cake!

Welcome Swift, I'm happy to have you in the fold!

Damsonalized by Emily

2011-06-23T15:15:00.000-05:00

Friends are definitely one of the perks in life and I am blessed to have friends that are

accomplished knitters
generous with their time & knowledge
good people!

Emily had mentioned a few weeks ago that she had not seen Damson in quite awhile. Well, outside of the zippie bag that is. When I said that I was flummoxed and frustrated she offered to take a look.

Well bless her heart, Damson is ready for me to pick her up from her summer camp stay at Emily's and she is ready to roll.

This leads me to think about the gene (for surely it is a gene, yes?) that means you can look an something gone awry and figure it out. I make no bones about the fact that I do not have this gene. I am only able to muddle about usually ineffectually and past a complete riiiiiiiiiiiip ........... well I just can't say.... aha the yarn over should not have happened here and this row was skipped and on and on and on. I have this problem triplificated when it comes to lace of any sort.

So I'm redecorating Damson's room.............. and can't wait to give her another go. Thanks Emily!

Speaking of redecorating, the guest room has all of the bedding changed out for the big Re-Do. The quilt (a triple Irish Chain I made about 8 years ago) is the spring board for the room. I bought a lovely white matelase dust ruffle and stitched new valances and shams. I love fabric, LOVE fabric......... I could spend time every day in my favorite dec fabric place. Nothing fancy there, a warehouse really but such fun. Lucky me, it's on the way to the lab so work junkets usually have a little bit of fun attached to them. My cousin is coming for a long weekend and the painting of the guest room will not happen before she arrives. Bummer, but that is fine. Her weapon of choice is a Fuzzy Navel and with proper application maybe she won't notice the walls and woodwork really just don't suit!

...continuing down a random path, that's Prince above. The dogs have been hanging out at the studio a lot lately due to my long hours. Otherwise you know they'd just piddle on the floor for spite and do that toilet paper trick! I came around the corner and found Prince taking a nap on one of the studio props. So cute, I just love my dogs!

Summer Daisies

2011-06-15T11:29:00.000-05:00

Summer is here in full force and I couldn't be happier about it. When it all boils down, I'd much rather be summer hot than winter cold, so there.

The daisies are going crazypants in the backyard.......... not traditional daisies, not quite Black Eyed Susans, something in between--- on a huge bush. I have enough to keep me in this happy yellow flower until frost!

I was feeling upcycle-y............ and a little summer kitchy so the vases were born. I used Snapple bottles (yum) and cut out pages from an old southern recipe book using schmancy scissors. They were Mod Podged onto the bottles and some rick rack was applied to the bottom. This trio is in my dining room at the moment and they make me smile.

Soul Time

2011-06-09T17:18:00.001-05:00

Yes, Soul Time............and I don't mean as in Blues Bros. either!!!!!!

As a long time fan of Brave Girls I decided that I must take their new class offering Soul Restoration 2. Mind you, I didn't get in SR1---- but thankfully no pre-requisites were in place.

I've just began working on week one of this class to work on the heart and soul, and map out a course for the life I want to live. With ART! I mean, how great is that??? The questions from this week were deep, profound, and some really (like, sniffle and gulp) made me think. I'm STILL thinking.

I've vowed to sleep [even] less, put myself first in the day when things are fresh. That's hard for me, how about you? I tend to put everyone and everything else first and foremost and when I have cleared my desk or have enough time for me, well by then I'm less than fresh and mostly just well toasted. Toasted not in a good way.

I'm also knitting a little if four rows since Monday count. It's a shawl and the rows are long so I'm giving myself permission to feel good about it.

My bathroom is newly painted "Terra Rose", and SINGS. I am in love with the color of the walls so much so that I had to get a new shower curtain and bathmat. They say that you should entertain in the room you look good in and I have to say I look FABULOUS in this pinky coral bathroom. I think I'll throw a dinner party in there! We'll start with canapes and mojitos since I'm growing mint specifically for that purpose.

Happy Blogoversary to me!

2011-06-03T03:58:00.003-05:00

Another year has gone by and I have no idea how that happened. Mama was right, time flies! :) 570 posts is pretty substantial!

On June 3rd, 2007 my first post was pretty short and sweet:

the retro look back:

Another knitting blog? Among so many? And the answer is of course, there is always room for another voice an additional blessing.

The Knitting Contessa adds her voice of passionate and sometimes irreverence---- bits of humor, questions, comments and always honest chatter to the blogging community of knitters---- the Contessa welcomes her Blitters! (1)

(1) Blitters- Blogging Knitters: Crazy, spunky, interested, worldwide creatures who create fabulous things with yarn and needles.

Only a few things have changed---- I still love the Blitters and you all inspire me daily!!! I've made friends, wonderful connections and like most of you could follow blog trails for days on end and still find the most interesting things ever!

We talk about more than knitting here though, it is much more about creativity no matter the medium--- and I love that too!

Anyway, here's to 4 years of Knitting Contessa, it's been a lot of fun!

I Did Not Knit, I Will Not Lie

2011-06-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

I did not knit and that is the truth. Instead a patio called my name, a band and beer. Okay a bucket. A warm summer's evening and bbq, a band and friends. There are times that even without a single creative endeavor in sight, life is pretty good! Once again I was reminded that:
a. life is short
b. play when you can and more often than you think you should
c. make time to be happy

Ah, the Bernina! The only visit I've had with her lately was to secure a strap on a bag. Pretty Sad!!! Remind me that I should use this time to take her in for a tune up. (I won't, but remind me anyway!)

Hope things are fabulous on your side of the screen, head down and working over here but the weekend cometh!

Great Balls of Weekend!

2011-05-31T14:13:00.001-05:00

3 day weekend? Sadly over. And not without it's challenges. All things considered it was a helluva fabulous weekend and I had the most wonderful, relaxing, restorative time!!!!!!!!

Not one stitch knit, quilted, puttered, painted or otherwise performed.

But that is okay because the top of the list on didn't happen was WORK. Y'all know, I work from home, I'm absolutely GLUED to my computer, I never stop and never get away. I actually went for 36 hours before even turning on the comp---- and I could have gone the whole time but, well you know.

I was in renewal mode and continue to be. Last week I'd been riding my bike (finally, the rain stopped)--- and had gone for two rides. On the trail (paved and two laned and hardly a REAL trail dontchaknow)----and had logged 4 miles. For a non bike rider, that was pretty good! On day 3, 6 feet into the ride, my rear tire blew out the little retro whitewall, the tube followed shortly thereafter. Ride over. Took back the bike and long story short after 18 hours, have a new bike. LOVE this new one, cute as cherry pie!!!

Toldja, cute!

It was more than likely designed for a slightly younger girl, I give you evidence a:

however, I'm working on letting my young girl OUT this summer and Lucy is perfect!

This is the little design on the back of the seat. I have to show it to you now because it is usually hidden under my butt when I ride. (hee).

The new bike rides "harder" which translates to a firmer pedal, but it coasts better and going up hills is far, far easier as it is geared better. And the new wicker basket? A thing of beauty that makes me smile.

Last night's ride was my first with the new bike, Lucy. Lucy was fabulous and although it was HOT, we had a great ride. I rode the last half of the trail that goes through Grant's Farm. If you know anything about it, that is where the Budweiser Clydesdales hang out and party. They're gorgeous and so much fun to watch.

The thing that got me was the sign that said that the horses may bite, the fence was electric and not to feed the Clydesdales. I don't know about you but it makes 'em sound like prissyass prima donnas. Which I understand completely. :)

They are gorgeous animals and live in pretty swell digs!

A gorgeous barn, but then again, everything around the farm is spectacular. Have you toured the brewery? It's one of my favorite stops in STL! If you're in town, or up for a visit to the farm or the brewery (free samples at the end of the tour, need I say more?) holler up and we'll go!

More of the horses:

Someone must have called them in for the evening because just as I was leaving, they took off, running single file across the meadow with manes and tails flying. Gorgeous.

And here we are at Tuesday. I'm trying like mad to get "ahead" for the week as it means I might squeeze in some time to knit, time to hang with friends and if I'm very lucky time to ride just a few more miles. I'm up to 6 miles and my next ride will be 8.

Have a fabulous post holiday week, hope things are great on your side of the screen!

Weekend Wraps--- Week Ahead

2011-05-23T10:59:00.000-05:00

The weekend FLEW by. Weekends that are 'off the clock' always do. I started the weekend helping a friend move into her first house............ she's a third year teacher, getting married in 2012. Can you remember your first house and all the excitement? It was very sweet and the house is perfect for them. I was proud, happy and excited all mushed up together.

Saturday night brought a bbq (going to hang with friends on a Saturday night is a rare event). Good food and friends is an unbeatable combination. Sunday was a bit of work but there was time to knit after catching up on my desk and laundry. The dust bunnies loom large and the vacuum really needs to be run but HEY---- I'm halfway through Clue 3 of the Mystery Shawl. It's really shaping up although the photos don't show the last two clues, it's all wrinkly in that pre-blocked lace way.

Yes, the striping shows but the flash really makes the striping of the yarn say hello. I continue to ponder overdying.

And that is the working edge of Clue 3-------- about halfway through. I know........... you can't see much of anything!

I've pretty much confirmed that all things in life should be a mystery. This pulls you through! Keeps you going! :) Right now I'm creating clues for work the only difference is that I know the outcome if I don't get it finished!

Have a fabulous week!

Clue 2--- DONE

2011-05-17T18:37:00.000-05:00

So maybe I need my entire life to be a Mystery Clue. It clearly inspires some motivation==== and this week I have had next to none.

Crap with my brother----- too much on my plate------ too little of everything else. Whinefest, over!

Can you see the hearts in the border? I know, it's hard but they're there------ upside down. Go on, turn your head. See 'em? :)

The shawl is growing and I'm seeing the stripes that don't present themselves in small things. In long runs, stripes. There may be overdying in the future of this shawl!

You can really see the striping when most of the color is removed from the photo. And yes, I'm still being lazy and using my cell phone instead of a perfectly good professional camera.

No Clue until Friday and the sunshine may hold till then so I'm hoping for some yardwork the next couple of days!

Hope you're fabulous on your side of the screen!

KAL's:The Better Part of Valor?

2011-05-13T14:15:00.000-05:00

I did make progress with the Eiffel Tower Shawl. Ripping back 10 rows was painful but necessary and in the past week I've finally gotten knit back to that point and now have "fresh yarn". However in an effort to:

a. ignore it
b. have a change of scenery
c. completely ignore the past week entirely

*(Your Choice)

I have started another knitting project. Not my usual operating procedure but I have been known to go down this path in the past.

While surfing Ravelry I came upon a Knit Along for a shawl, the Mystery Shawl KAL 2011 from Knitting Like Crazy's Jen. Simple with a practical and sturdy edge----- the center medallion keeps it interesting and looks nice in a tailored kinda'way.

It is (forgive the photo) bluer-----almost navy with a bit of gray running through it and with a nice haze.

The yarn was stash----- I needed sock-ish weight in a fairly tonal color. Not much to be had choice wise, apparently I want my socks to look like clowns (what was I thinking?) This one would have to do! It's Patrons Kroy Sox FX------- wool & nylon at 75/25.

So about 8 rows from the end of the first clue while watching old Oprah's (gotta love it when the server is down--- what else to do but roll with i t???) and on we go.

Hope your weekend will be fabulous! I'm off this weekend and just puttering, hoping the weather will hold for a trip to a great art fair, maybe cocktails with friends, and some gentle puttering.

Gray Frog

2011-05-07T16:32:00.002-05:00

Man. The day off (a wonderful Saturday off to be enjoyed down to the very last second!!!) And two hours of it was spend FROGGING back the Eiffel shawl while watching the Derby coverage.

I frogged back 10 rows. GULP. But things are much happier now.

Lookie lookie at all of those live stitches, just laying there gasping! A wonderful use for the white dining room table, a great place to lay out knittery, frog it and know that all is behaving itself. I really REALLY hate to rip any knitting back, the finer the yarn the greater the trepidation. I'm not sure why really, most times it all works out well and it isn't like it's world peace or anything. But I become a 9 year old girl terribly afraid of her knitting every time.

Now that the stitches are back on the circs, two rows accomplished post frog-- it is time to muddle the mint and pour the bourbon!

Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises! With a bourbon chaser I think even Elizabeth would nod in the affirmative!

Worked, Read, No Pedeled

2011-05-03T08:53:00.000-05:00

Work. Work. I picked up another great client (in addition to my other many chores, I "ghost blog")---- and being uber organized is the secret. Always the secret to life, now even more so.

I'm even more in love with my Nook Color---- how did I ever get along without it? Some problems persisting--- another call to tech support will deliver a new usb cord that should fix all glitches. It's easy portability (and fabulous flamingo colored sleeve) make it possible to read a bit here and there. Reading on the job has become my new sock knitting-- I'm not sure if that is good or bad!

Who was it that asked what I'm reading? I'm about halfway through "All That is Bitter and Sweet" by Ashley Judd------ one of those rock you to your core kind of save the world books. Very intense and tempered by the kinda' crazypants family stuff. I can't read something totally intense 100% of the time, by necessity I temper the grief with the fluff. For me the fluff du jour is the "Carrie Diaries". Once and always a SITC fan---- and you don't get much fluffier than Bushnell. I have TEN other books lined up and ready to go.

Good thing (not) that I'm waking up at 5 a.m. every morning no matter what time I've gone to bed the night before. Perhaps Sleep Doc Yo-El can tell me what in the world is going on in my formerly "set the clock by" sleep world!!!

And on the bicyclette front------ I'm not painting her. :( If someone would take her apart for me so I could paint PROPERLY, oh, and PUT HER BACK TOGETHER, we'd be off and running.

Man, ain't that the story of life? A story of the scramble, of the making do, and with no knitting content whatsoever!

Wed, Read & Tired

2011-04-29T07:41:00.000-05:00

LOVED the wedding, it was well worth getting up at 2:55 after going to bed at 12:30. That was the "read" portion of the blog title. My Nook FINALLY got the problems solved post update and I couldn't help but read! The pot of coffee is now gone, it is 7:36 a.m. and my day calls me.

I had a BLAST live blogging for my "day job"------ some of the comments were hilarious. I'll be back with the inevitable discussion later---- for the moment:

best look at the wedding: Victoria, Posh, Beckham. WHAT A HAT!
most unexpected smile: The Queen
Biggest Risk in a Hat: Princess Beatrice
Second Kiss? Wonderful

Hope you get a chance to watch the highlights if you didn't catch the wedding. There are sure to be umpteen zillion opportunities coming up!

Weddings all Around Me

2011-04-26T08:58:00.000-05:00

If you have read the KC Blog for awhile, you know that I wrangle brides for a living. My position with a photography studio here in town has definitely morphed over the past year and now I often scratch my head wondering just what it is I'm supposed to be doing. During the last week I wrote contracts, styled photo shoots for product and babies, wrangled a bride and talked to a Panda! I fixed the upholstery on a very cool studio prop and painted a wall, I cleaned bathrooms and ordered pizza. I uploaded photos and wrote a LOT of blogs.
So it goes it seems!

NOW, the focus is definitely weddings and only because of those nutty Royals. (and I don't mean the baseball team). I'm going to be Live Blogging on the wedding side of the house--- and actually look forward to it. Well I don't look forward to getting up at 3 a.m. to "work", and it will be difficult not to pepper the blogging comments with my usual salty language (it is my profession after all)---- but I think it will be fun!Are you watching any part of the big nuptials this Friday?

From my "other" job----- dealing with PAPER----- I bring you a couple of things that you just might need if you're getting ready to host a viewing party (or just amuse yourself as you watch Kate come down the aisle while wearing your jammies). All of the paper products can be clicked and saved and printed out on 8.5x11" paper. Kind of fun and I do love a party!

Cupcake wrappers, appropriately royal themed:

I really think that if you're getting up early there should be CUPCAKES! :)

Or maybe royal banners to print out and string?

or just maybe some printable crown tags for food or some other grande idea you have?

I want to hear all about your plans for viewing (or not!) Like I said, I'll put coffee on the night before and make a breakfast casserole, decidedly un-royal. When the alarm goes off I'll much and do my live blogging duties for "work"------ and when it's all said and done, if I'm lucky I'll take a very regal nap!

Pickled Happiness

2011-04-22T13:05:00.000-05:00

When I wished fellow knitter Silvana a happy birthday on Wednesday via email as I was unable to knit with the group, she mentioned that she was laying in some things that made her happy. (All birthday peeps should do this of course!!!) One of the things she mentioned that she was unable to find was Beet Pickled Eggs. Really I thought, beet picked eggs. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that a. I must make her some and b. these damn things must be pretty good! To be included on a must have to properly celebrate my birthday list---- well that is beyond high praise.

So I made some. Easy enough with ingredients on hand. *Yes, I do keep a jar of beets on hand*. The color of the eggs is GORGEOUS, even if you didn't eat them they'd be a happy inclusion to any table. But the taste? Well, they are pretty outrageously good if I do say so and I'm happy to have "found" them. They're so good and so pretty, I will be putting some out beside the traditional deviled eggs this Easter Sunday!!! I've given the recipe below should you be so inclined (and you should be!)

Beet pickled eggs

• 8 eggs
• 1 (15 ounce) can sliced beets with liquid-- not the kind that say "pickled"
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) (I used a bare pinch)

Hard Boil the eggs using your preferred method. The argument about how to cook a hard boiled egg rages on. I don't mean to get involved but I place eggs in a pan with enough water to cover. Bring 'em to a boil and reduce to simmer, cover the pan. After 12 minutes, pour off the boiling water and run cold water over for a fair bit. Then peel the eggs and put them in a glass or plastic container.
Then, in a smallish saucepan, combine the beets and all of the liquid in the jar (or can), the vinegar, superfine sugar (which dissolves faster. If you have regular, so be it) the water and cinnamon if you're using it.Boil it up and give it a go until the sugar dissolves, which really doesn't take very long. Pour over the eggs and roll 'em around a little bit so the color is more even. When not crazy hot, place in the fridge. They need at least four hours but I think overnight is fabulous. Slice and serve---

This whole beet pickled egg thing caused me to wonder if they might be a nice addition to my version of "the best salad I've ever had in my entire life", which I make often. The short answer is yes. HEAVEN.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good, and PRETTY too! Lettuce, dried cranberries, golden raisins, a little bit of cheese, blue cheese dressing, croutons (home made is best but I resorted to bagged today), and sliced beet pickled eggs. Top that with a nice handful of some brown sugared (with a pinch of cayenne) pecans and it is about as good as it gets. I love to add chopped dates too but upon inspection mine had become mummified blobs and I had to soldier on without them!

So---- it wasn't even my birthday and I got the present of discovery. Beet Pickled Eggs---- you're mine forever!

Peace & Love

2011-04-19T12:09:00.000-05:00

I have not painted the bicyclette, to my sadness. I think it is going to have to be all taken apart. Frankly this is the reason for my procrastination. Along with work and rainy weather.

There has been some knitting, unfortunately it was Stanley Cup Playoff Knitting and I've had to isolate a section on my shawl and will frog back the requisite 6 rows to fix and re-knit up that offending area. I've done this with cables gone awry and am hopeful that I can pull it off here too. Gulp. [Note to Self: Seriously, you know that you can't be all hockey-fied and count at the same time. Really!]

My blog friend Robyn from Still Waters Refuge posted the loveliest sentiment the other day on her blog. It's been with me, quietly percolating since reading it. I really feel obliged to share it & pass it on. Years ago I prayed for compassion and what came out of that was an entirely different life. In this place I do struggle with what to DO, how to help, how to be a part of the much needed cure and not just do nothing, frozen in my sense of inadequacy. Robyn's words, reprinted below feel warm and real and helpful.

What I can do

I care deeply for the world and all beings in it and though I feel a longing to help others, the need of this world is overwhelming, even if i knew what to do to help.

What I can do is pray.

I can hold Love, Peace, Wellness, Safety, Happiness, Freedom, in my heart for myself and all beings.

Prayer heals and readies me to meet everyone with compassion and loving kindness regardless of outward situation and need.

Prayer fills me with knowing we are all one.

Prayer allows me, as I sit quietly to let go with confidence that I am doing what I can do and that is enough.

Prayer frees me from fear and feelings of separation from God.

Prayer and silence clear my mind of uncertainly about what I can do and divinely guides and inspires me to do what I can do, be who i am and want what I have.

Keeping Peace and Love alive and present in my heart is what I can do to save this world.

Please join me.

Bicyclette!

2011-04-15T15:04:00.001-05:00

AHA! Nothing a little girl wants for her birthday than a new bicyclette! Big Girls Too! :)

I didn't want to spend a bucket, and I didn't want gears. With significant embarrassment I confess to not being able to handle gears on a bike. And really prefer plain old school pedal brakes!! Searching all over town I found my bike at WalMart. Sturdy, old school, fun and rides really nicely. Check out the Big Butt seat, c'mon! After taking this and two other bikes for a spin around WalMart (imagine the fear instilled into many), this bike was the winner.

You probably know me well enough to know that this project is no different from any other---- MORE projects come from it!

I'm repainting my baby girl. I think she's poop brown and boring. I'll be painting her aqua and cream with a few hand painted touches, topped off with a nice coating of glossy sealer. And while I do like having a basket, this basket doesn't do it for me. I imagine myself pedaling my tres chic bicyclette around town with scarf tossing in the wind, a wicker basket on the front filled with a lovely baguette of bread. The back rack extends a bit over the rear bumper and would look fabulous holding a basket of knitting.

My fantasy life is at times pretty cool. ;)

And, before I leave, someone please notice that my bike is indoors (it's raining outside and the bike needs to be super dry for painting)----- but the floor on which it sits is so clean and shiny that the reflection of the bike is noticeable. Award points b/c it may be some time before we notice this again!

Happy Birthday to MOI

2011-04-11T04:25:00.025-05:00

Here at Casita Contessa I'm celebrating a BIRTHDAY today! I'm 57 today and to be honest still think that I'm 30! The years fly by and somehow getting older comes as a huge surprise! I don't really ever say THE NUMBER out loud and for pete's sake I've decided that this is just crazypants.

I'm 57!
I love wholeheartedly and am completely loyal-
There are 31 less pounds of me this morning and that is a good thing!
If I'm not doing something in my day that is creative, it's cranky city-
I love curry and tofu, chocolate and cauliflower, M&M's and Diet Snapple-
I knit-
I quilt-
I paint & create mixed media-
I make jewelry-
I sew-
Home dec makes me happy & I just ordered a new sofa and loveseat which will spur a new round of fun-
I work hard and don't play enough-
I love white wine and extra dirty vodka martinis with 4 blue cheese olives-
Cooking is part of who I am and even when I cook for myself it brings me joy-
Nigella makes me unabashedly weak in the knees-
I'm Mimi to 3 fabulous grandboys I don't get to see often enough, and adore-
My kids are pretty awesome and they love me, how cool is that?
I cuss a blue streak surely I could embarrass a sailor. No, it isn't because I have a limited vocabulary, it is because I enjoy it.
Winter makes me snarky-
Spring makes me sail-
Kauai is my favorite place on earth and my spirit lives in Hanalei-
Santa Fe is a close second, I'd love to live there!
My style has always been what is now called 'bohemian chic', it's me!
Why yes I am an old hippie, it is the word "old" that chafes-
I say I don't care what you think,or if you like me..... but there are times that is not true-
I'm a very spiritual person, that probably doesn't fall into any traditional definition-
My Casita is my Castle, no matter where it is-
I wish I had a vintage baby blue VW convertible--- or even a vintage VW Bus!
I appreciate my family & friends

Hope your day is as wonderful as mine! Please, share a piece of cake with me, I baked it just for us! It may be virtual but know it is my favorite, German Chocolate frosted all the way around with loads and loads of yummy, sticky, coconutty, pecan filled frosting.

Take a big piece, life is short and meant to be wonderful!

Tired

2011-04-06T13:51:00.000-05:00

Tired, that's all. Just worn to the bone. And back.

Next year I will not pooh-pooh a flu shot. Really.
Another cold has moved in and I'm wiped out.
I will go to bed earlier.
I will start walking again, winter has been ugly.
Crafting/sewing/knitting/puttering time has to be put higher on the priority list.
Maybe just maybe I won't be so wrung out.
I will buy more Diet Snapple in "papaya mango"--- delish!
Could be I'll not worry so much about how the house needs to be vacuumed---

And you? How're you getting on?

Day Seven: Knitting and Crochet Time 2KCBWDAY7

2011-04-03T05:10:00.006-05:00

Time, the thing that confounds me most mightily! Makes me crazy if the truth be told. The time killers in my pie are equal additions of self-employed, overworked, and stressed out. When that pie comes out of the oven (or pressure cooker), what suffers is my creative time.

I knit best when:

Doing projects that can be easily picked up or tossed down
Surrounded by tea and snacks (think pretzels and m&m's)
and I do love to knit with PEOPLE, their accomplishments make me feel better about the lack of my own!
I knit in front of the television but never at the movies
When music is involved I prefer 60's (go figure and thanks Sirius)
If lace is on the needles I van't to be ahlone!
I can not actually READ while knitting (but have not tried it with my Nook) but do like podcasts (about knitting of course) or audiobooks.
I always have my two beloved dogs near me when I sit to knit. Prince is always at my feet and Hana is always curled by my side.

Time------- I've found recently while "cross training" with different crafts to clear logjams and insert spark that I do best when I schedule time to be creative. This goes for knitting as well. I actually sit with my schedule (old school on paper) and block out time to knit/sew/quilt/paint/craft. The problem comes in when I just want to sit and drool on myself while watching a TiVo'ed episode of Housewives. (any locale will do).

It is less the time than the motivation I fear. Both sometimes escape me when I need them most!

Something to Aspire to: 2KCBWDAY6

2011-04-02T04:45:00.006-05:00

Something to Aspire to? Man, like I wouldn't consider it a tremendous thing just to FINISH the projects I've shown you this week, the long lost fuzzy souls!

But in the spirit of things, taking on something NEW! :)

I have already decided and discussed that I will NOT be once again saying that I am going to learn to give my yarn throwing ways up for the sleeker style!

But I would like to design my own sweater (even if using cheater software) from the ground up and knit it. In relatively short order of course.

Think something cardigan-y, I want a soft lightweight angora (or blend thereof) in a creamy hue. Maybe a bit of lace somewhere interesting. Vintage pearl buttons. Yummy.

I mean, it isn't like this is a difficult or lofty goal! I know the process, I just haven't done it!

"Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises!"

Day Five: 2KCBWDAY5

2011-04-01T04:30:00.005-05:00

Day Five:

Something completely different so says Eskimimi, organizer of this so far wonderful Second Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week! Have you been out there reading the many posts all centered on the same topic? Really lots of fun!

Creative Push: Something Different.

I was inspired by the process that has sort of been working since blogging this project. A sketch of a mitten that would be "bobble-y" and coordinate with a pattern long kept for a bobble cowl! Should be easy enough.

And then put the sketch together with the yarn, the cowl pattern neatly in a sleeve, all together in a bag.

Excellent! Hopefully this time next year when blogging the 3rd annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week it will not be languishing in the bin next to Damson! ;) That would be a horrible April Fools instead of best plans laid.

"Whatever Happened to Your_______" KCBWDAY4

2011-03-31T04:30:00.002-05:00

The question of the day for the 2nd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog week is "whatever happened to your___". I know exactly what came to mind when hearing this question.

What ever happened to your Damson? Or the GDamson as known in knit group circles! Begun twice, frogged 3 times, and there it sits:

Out of sight (almost) out of mind. Damson's current mailing address is in a bag, in a bin, on a shelf. With other long forgotten things. It's really kind of a sad halfway house!

Out of the bag, be free be freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love this yarn, love the color love everything. Well, except the pattern that I am apparently too much the bozo to be able to knit!!!

See? The rib that marches up the shawl, and then the pattern starts and nothing lines up. Growl and Grumble. If you happen to know it is supposed to do this, please holler, nothing would give me greater pleasure.

The Plan:

I am going to frog this back to the beginning of the pattern. Again. and I will get GDamson finished. Really.

Just not right now! ;)

Tidy Mind, Tidy Stitches 2KCBWDAY3

2011-03-30T04:00:00.008-05:00

The title of today's broad reaching much blogged about subject--- Tidy Mind, Tidy Stitches. Both are questionable more often than not, no?

The crux is organization and the challenge to photograph the stash in it's current state of being.

SO.............. it is all MOSTLY in one place. I do have some scattered bowls of yarn around but they DO NOT COUNT because they are purely decorative, i.e. the colors of the yarn in the type of bowl are there to be pretty not to knit from or to be considered as active stash. Secondly, I do NOT have a huge stash, never had, never will. Probably. (insert grin here)

My stash at present is a lot of DK weight, purchased when I thought I was going to be a mitten machine for Christmas last year. I was not. Hope springs that I might be in the future, time will tell. Then the odd skeins of Koigu purchased on sale, and leftover Eco from frogging the cabled cardi (aka boat cover) last year. There is still yarn left and I plan a bobbled cowl and some mittens for sure. The rest of it? I couldn't tell you. It looks good though!

Peek into my "tidyness" (words not actually portraying life I fear):

This is true stash. The DK's are on the bottom shelf--- the top shelf is the ever present coral pink yarn that has tried to find homes in several different projects that yielded big fat goose eggs! The rest of the yarn is all orphaned skeins that for the moment merely take up space.

One of the Decorative Baskets that IS actually STASH.

There are two skeins of gorgeous purple lace weight waiting (I know it looks blue, but it is in fact a very royal purple with a soft variegation)

and 3 skeins of KPPG that don't coordinate well so will have to be used for one skein projects. I have the project, just need the time. So it goes.

One of the purely decorative baskets.

I don't knit with straight needles but they look cute here!

All scraps and snipppets--

and a fabulous blue hooty poo!

The whites on the first shelf. Some of the Eco, a bit of DK, a skein of mystery white and a couple balls of an angora blend. Bottom shelf is a skein of watermelon hued sock yarn that waits (and has been for years) and miscellaneous balls of orphaned yarn, mostly chunky.

My plan (now that I've actually SEEN IT, rather than just walk by it several times a day) is to really make an effort to knit the KPPG into cute little beaded spiral bags, to put bits of yarn and the project instructions into zippie bags to wait for the MOMENT. (Enough Eco in a bag with instructions for the bobbled cowl and mittens) along with each skein of KPPG with the bag instructions and beads.

This will make me feel wonderfully organized or woefully behind the curve, who knows?

Skill + 1 up- 2KCBWDAY2

2011-03-29T05:00:00.002-05:00

Yay for Eskimimi and her awesome organizational skills to bring the2nd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week to life! It runs through the 3rd of April and on each participants daily blog post through this period there will be a "tag". Today's tag is 2KCBWDAY2. By using that tag to search, you will come up with a LOT of wonderful reading on the days topic. Inspired Eskimimi! It is a lot of work and I know we all appreciate her muchly!

In looking back over my last year of projects, I am to compare my current skill level with that entry point. What have I learned? Maybe more accurately what have I NOT learned. (AGAIN).

The top of my I have not learned list:

I still can NOT knit in the continental method. At All. And I've tried. I have decided (after many years) that I am not meant to knit this way and a "thrower" I will be!
I still can't knit lace as well as I'd like.
Some Patterns just don't make it very far. I wish I could knit every single project to completion but that is not to be. Some haunt me.

Like this one:

Perfectly beautiful mittens------------ the Hiroshige Mittens. That is as far as they have gotten. I love the color blue, I'm actually DECORATING my creative space with this mitten on dpn's as art! Sort of a statue to humility.

What I HAVE learned:

I can be a junkyard dog when need be. In the past year it seems I don't have a lot to show for my knitting--- but I knit an ENORMOUS cabled cardigan, it was crappy--- I frogged it, rewashed the yarn, skeined and blocked it. And re-knit it into the current cardi I love! That my friends is some cool beans!

It's a thing I'm proud of---- sticking with a very, very long project.

Having said that, I have a shawl that is sitting on waste yarn in the deepest darkest cubbies in the creative space that drove me crazy, was frogged 3x and I'm just OVER. Harumph. It's Damson and it goes by another name far less lovely.

In the "lemonade" category was the little sweater I made for my Little Girl Dog. *(she's so cute!) It began life as Feather Duster and a little ways in I didn't like the color, didn't like the yarn, didn't like IT. So with a bit of alterations it is now Hana's. I'm not usually anxious to make it "do". I learned that sometimes this is OKAY!

It was a year of projects that had their core in simplicity. I'm one of those work all the time people and because of that it is necessary to have projects that don't strain the brain overly much. Things that pick up, can sit down half a row in when the phone rings or a client beckons. Things that don't suffer for that abuse.

Out of that came a gorgeous shawl, garter based, skinny armed triangle shaped in a beautiful vacation bought hand spun and dyed yarn. Yummy.

I'm NOT a very good lace knitter, I admit it. But the mondo shawl for my daughter was easily accomplished with it's fat yarn and big needles.

I also finished a color-work sweater from the mind of Elizabeth Zimmerman that I've always wanted to knit. It turned out beautifully and I love wearing it. I even made it in time for my vacation deadline!

Another shawl, I couldn't tell you why the urge to knit them this year---- was Citron. I love this for the shape and drape.

In looking back, I love to cable----- and the hat for my maybe someday daughter in law was such a fun project.

I think for me sometimes knowing what you HAVE NOT learned is the most important thing of all. It's a time to decide whether or not you really need to learn something or if you can let it go. Kind of like stash or a bad habit, Fish or Cut Bait honey!

Random Monday: Courage: 2KCBWDAY1

2011-03-28T12:38:00.004-05:00

The courage for me today is to clear my desk and even (gasp) get ahead of the game. What I should be doing is blogging for the second annual knit & crochet blog week. The topic today is "a Tale of Two Yarns".

I have no tales to tell, I can't see out of the desk but in all good time it will be a good thing! :)

I offer my Day One shoulder shrug...... I'll do better!

What is WRONG with this picture?

2011-03-26T14:05:00.003-05:00

Hockey on the TV
double layer quilt on my lap
dog at my feet
Eiffel Tower Shawl being WORKED on! (I felt like I hadn't picked it up in weeks b/c I hadn't!!!)

Knitting is happening! Mostly because SPRING is NOT NOT NOT!!!! NCAA hockey , c'mon it is hard for hockey to get better than that, favorite quilt happily not put away, dog ALWAYS at my feet and KNITTING! :)

I'm off this weekend which is a thing of mondo gloriousness---- I'll be knitting, making a bracelet from shrinky dinks and my printer (really), and working on a mixed media painting that's a gift for my daughter's birthday.

All Good!

2011-03-21T11:09:00.005-05:00

It's ALL GOOD, the creative cross training has been great all the way around. While I have not knitted one single solitary stitch since last Tuesday evening at Knit Group---- I have been busy and feeling the burn! Well, except for the 2 days I lost when my back went out for no apparent reason other than to cause pain and keep me reading.

The first bit is a piece of upcycled art---- inspired by Melody Ross and a photo from her home during Brave Girl Camp was made using some old canvases that have lived a good life and I was tired of. Using lessons learned and creative spark from Christy Tomlinson & her class I created them in mixed media. I must say I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE them!

The dining room made progress. It still needs to have the chair covers, table runner and window coverings changed out. I'm having a tough time finding yellow/blue fabric that I love locally. I think I'll end up doing what I always do and internet it. The question of the day is----- now that I finally repainted my Mom's vintage pressed back oak chairs, do I paint the black "architecture" on the back wall blue as well????

I do love the table runner but am anxious to do something that better sets off the room---- we shall see what evolves.

The black "architecture" piece----- paint it? Leave it black??????

Showing off the inspiration and driving force behind the makeover, the fantastic light from IKEA.

Cute Cute Cute, this room makes me so happy!

And there you have it! Still in progress but I can see the finish line.

I've also been working on A Tisket A Tasket from Bunny Hill----- as I've loved this quilt from the first moment I saw it I knew that someday I was going to just roll up my sleeves and get it done. This morning shows 7 blocks "together" and ready for embroidery and details. Once that is done hopefully it will not be a long slog to set some sashing and put it together. I plan to machine quilt it myself.

The last block is the Fourth of July block----- and it HAD to have some red and blue that was different from my completely "Breakfast at Tiffany's" palette from Fig Tree Quilts. I'll go back and add some of the red to each block in small doses, I think it is actually just what the quilt needs to bring it to life. August is the cupcake block, sure to make me hungry!

Hope things are creative and happy on your side of the screen!

Exhausted!

2011-03-14T16:04:00.003-05:00

The weekend flew by like crazy. House guests, a really weird engagement party, and no time to be "off the clock". I don't know why it is but down time is just a necessity for me. So here we are at Monday and my plate is overfull. All promises to the contrary have been broken!

AND---- I woke up to snow this morning! SNOW! It's supposed to be 70 on Thursday, how did we get so much snow? Stupid lying groundhog!!!!

I'm running away for a couple of hours to recharge. Part of that will be spent looking at YOUR blogs to see what creative fabulosity you've been up to.

Don't let me down!

On the Doorstep of the Weekend!

2011-03-11T10:26:00.002-06:00

Friday already, man how did that happen?

After a long week of longer days I'm happy to take some time off. Houseguests this weekend and an engagement party so there should be fun to be had.

I put the Spring face on the bedroom, painted it a serene white and changed the bedspread to a white chenille with meandering flower stems in pink blue and yellow. The walls before were a sort of latte color, who knew this small bedroom would take an entire gallon of paint down to the fumes?

SUNSHINE TODAY----- maybe time for a dance out in it! :) Have a fabulous day and a "more fabulouser" weekend!

Mad Busy Girl

2011-03-08T20:46:00.008-06:00

I have new clients where I "guest blog"------ which means that my own blog slips to the bottom of the pile. Which really shouldn't happen but it does.

Needless to say being knitterly, quilterly, crafty or painterly gets "squoze" in where I can. Often in the wee hours.

I do have a finished canvas from the [fabulous] online class with Christy Tomlinson. My girl is below:

the color on that shot is nasty for which I apologize, she really is cuter than she looks. AND, she has a great personality. :) I'm enjoying this plunge into mixed media a lot.

I think cross training the creative muscles has unblocked a log jam, or that's how it feels. I've been inspired to shake things up a lot around Casita Contessa.

A new lamp in the dining room (also where I work when I'm toiling at home). The fixture is IKEA of course, a special delivery from a recent houseguest who knows how to kiss up. LOVE that lamp as much as I thought I would. What has happened since the lamp was up:

accent wall above the fireplace was repainted blue
rug below the table changed out from black/leopard to a white frisee shag
maple wood table moved to the creative space and chairs to the basement
a new white table and chairs came to live at my house (or will when some assembly required happens)
the two 'head of the table' chairs will be painted blue. They have remained unpainted for many years since inheriting these reddish pressed back oak chairs from my Mom

Maybe 3 rows have been knit but I don't think I sit down long enough to make that happen! And I consider it okay under the cross training rules.

Mad busy I tell you!

Calling out for Fresh Fire

2011-02-28T20:52:00.005-06:00

I'm stuck in between seasons, stuck with too much work, stuck-stuck-stuck. In the need for Fresh Fire I'm taking a class----------- online, and it started today. Now.......... aside from giving up much needed sleep, how to really get in there and get creative. I'm really excited about it and am actually scheduling (really) time to play. Whatever works I say. From the creative brain of Christy Tomlinson---- this class offered next on April 11th has a perk or two!

It's "The She Art Workshop is a 3 week e-course but because this is the second launch, you will have instant access to ALL of the materials, videos, PDF's and class content to all three weeks immediately! In this workshop, you will learn how to create unique and detailed she Art girls, as seen in my art and mixed projects! I will also teach you how to create backgrounds, textures, and layering styles on canvases and other surfaces! You will walk away from this class feeling confident in creating your own personalized" She Art" pieces as well as having learned new art techniques you can use in other mixed media projects! "

In other news to catch you up:

Tornados rolled through last night, about an hour was spent in the basement at midnight. I think that emergency preparation kits need to contain more than candles, a radio, water and matches! I am tucking into mine: a simple project I can do 'something' with--- right now that is a simple shawlette. Remember the bag I made for Emily at Christmas? The door handle bag? That one will be hanging on my basement doorknob and I plan to fill it with goodness!

The Eiffel in process is halfway through the second chart, much happiness being had.

I met my sons girlfriend yesterday after a 3 hour drive to Indiana. Actually met the whole gang from sister & baby to mother and dad and even gramma. I was pretty nervous----- and I have to say that I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!! How excited am I????? LOVE this girl, want to get to know her better, hang out with her and call her my own. Yippee.

And quoting vintage Edith Ann I say, "and that's the truth".