:: water through my fingers ::

Thank you all so much for your input on Vintage Monday! There shall be a wee difference next Monday for a change!

Show and tell first:

This was a very quick knit–the perfect project for working on in spare moments during the afternoon and evening on Monday! I started a little after 3pm, and was finished up by 9! (And yes, that does include breaks!) The pattern is a modified version of Ellybeth’s “Pip-squeak Inspired” neck warmer pattern knit from a lovely terracotta-hued Cotton Ease (the photos on my Flickr have details of the changes; as does my Ravelry profile). I had been fingering the yarn for some time, and its on sale at Michael’s this week, so I decided to give it a try. So much silkier and drapey than many of the other cotton yarns I’ve worked with! Now I have the perfect multi-season cowl… hurrah!!

I’m trying so hard to keep focused on my current works-in-progress. But sometimes its rather difficult, you know? All the little fiddly bits at the end; a simple hem here, working a couple buttonholes, knitting ears on the elephant… Trying not to let the siren call of new fabric and “new” (really vintage) patterns lure me away from the tasks at hand! I’m so awful about bouncing from one project to another; one of my goals for this year it to try and limit myself to only a couple projects in each category at a time. I “have to” finish them before I can allow myself to start a new one. So far, it has been a helpful rule; I’ve finished more things this year already than I did in the first 6 months of 2007! But oh dear… I keep gazing on the lightweight denim that is waiting to be cut into a pretty dress… lol! And Ravelry… we shan’t get into the woeful amount of temptation this has proved to be!!

I’m off to do some art and knitting this afternoon… both of which I sorely need to do! But before I go, look at this little curiosity I spied in the yard this afternoon. Quite unusual considering its been so cold!!

Have a lovely, creative Wednesday, friends!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

p.s. Don’t forget the sale at the Shoppe ends tonight! Hurry to snatch up a goodie and save 20% on your purchase!

 

:: the amazing, disappearing lady!! ::

Ooops… it seems I quite dropped off the face of the internet for a stretch of days, doesn’t it? Oh dear!! lol. In all actuality, fabric pirates did not kidnap me, nor did I wander aimlessly into an antique store and get lost forever! Rather some personal stuff came up during the weekend; namely L. having an extra day of leave (quite unexpected!), and I decided to just spend those last couple days with him. So please excuse the complete and utter lack of posting from this quarter!!

I have been a busy, busy gal, and been up to much creative mischief-making! The green skirt I showed last week is still unfinished (need to find buttonhole twist of the appropriate color, since I got it into my head to handwork the buttonholes on this one, and the decision can’t be undone now!), but I did whip up a deliciously warm and elegant corduroy wrap version. I found just the right amount of fabric in the clearance aisle at JoAnn’s, and it was such a lovely black herringbone weave that I couldn’t say no (especially at $1.50/yard). So home it came and soon was washed up and cut out into a lovely, full-length skirt (or “dress” as L. liked to tease me about the quantity of fabric it requires). I’ve worn it two days in a row, and can say that I forgot how lovely, toasty-warm a long skirt can keep one in the dead of winter! Plus, it gives me the impression of being a bohemian artist-type, which is always fun to play up. hehe!

My knitting needles have been busily clacking away as well… Sunday morning I quickly whipped up Ysolda’s “Urchin” cap using some leftover, bright strawberry smoothie pink yarn (I know, an odd way to characterize a color, but that is what it reminds me of!). I’m quite smitten with its geometric shape, and the fact that it stays on my head very nicely (I wore it most of yesterday because I was scurrying back and forth so much). Now I’m working on Ysolda’s “Elijah” elephant out of the loveliest, soft pink yarn! Its a gift for my Pastor and his wife’s new, baby girl. I figure little ones can never have too many squishy, fuzzy toys to drag around. This project is taking a bit longer, if only because it uses a quantity of double-pointed-needles, which can be a little fiddly and cumbersome (at least for me!).

So… I have lots more to report, but for the sake of not boring you all, I will close here with the belated Vintage Monday feature. I must be off to reply to all the lovely emails and comments that have popped up in my inbox over the last week (thank you all for your sweetness!! I’m trying to reply to all your communications, but its taking me awhile!). Eeep!!

[ click on the image for a larger view and description! ]

Until my next post, stay snuggly-warm if its cold where you are, dears!!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

 

:: daily meanderings ::

The beginning of this week has been up and down, mostly because I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed lately with the thought of everything I want to, or need to do. Darn my strict, Yankee work ethic; even when I’m supposed to be “recovering” I feel a need to work, work, work! lol. Today I’m busy working on advertisements, new packaging, new business cards (since my blog address changed…), and some secret Holiday stock for the Shoppe! I’ll be posting more about that later, but lets just say I’m quite excited!!

Ysolda’s “Briar Rose” bolero pattern is knitting up nicely; I’m just doing bits here and there, mostly in the afternoons around tea time when my energy is at its lowest. Yesterday I sat down with my cup of tea, watched the last of North and South, and knit most of the first sleeve! I’m so excited; I love seeing knitting projects come together right before my eyes–its almost like magic! I recently found a book in the library system (I trawl through the online catalog every-once-in-awhile; yes, I am a library geek!), Working from a Master Pattern to Fashion Your Own Knits by Sharon Turner, that intrigued me. Besides the fact that the book is part of a series called “Teach Yourself Visually” (how great is that–finally someone got the idea that not everyone learns the same way! lol), the idea of learning how knit patterns are designed sounds very interesting. I have a hold request in and can’t wait to get it!

Today I spent a lot of time working on some new things for the Shoppe. As I mentioned I’m preparing for the holiday season, and thus am designing and making some winterish delights! I can’t wait to share them with you, but I’m keeping most of it a secret until early November! (Because the best holiday things are always kept [mostly] secret!)

Its been raining here all day long; which is great since we’ve been under drought conditions. Dreary, autumn weather always makes me want to curl up with a cup of hot cider, a movie and my latest handwork project. I think I’ll go dig up my favorite pair of wool socks (in sore need of replacement… hmm… perhaps my next knitting project?) and see if we’ve got any cider in the ‘fridge…

Have a lovely Wednesday evening, everyone!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

p.s. Abby is doing a whole week devoted to “beautiful books”! Be sure to check out her blog, where she’s already featured two gorgeous tomes.

 

:: knitting my life away… ::

Obviously this is not the rummage sale treasures post that I promised! My Sunday has been quite full; L. was up for the weekend and we spent a lot of time together because I won’t be seeing him for the next two weekends. So the next two Sundays I dare say I’ll be posting entries with a little more “umph”…So as not to make this a totally useless entry (eeek!), here are some pictures of my finished Gretel beret!

I know; this is not the Azeala pink yarn I posted a picture of earlier. As much as I love that yarn (it is really pretty), it just wasn’t thick enough. The hat I envisioned would be dense and warm (especially because I get so cold come winter!), and with the pink yarn it was turning out a bit more open. I set that aside and bought a red, worsted weight instead. Its the same yarn I used for my sister’s mitts I knit last winter, and worked perfectly for this project!

Ysolda’s pattern was a lot of fun to work with; very clearly written and included a lot of helpful notes! What surprised me was how quickly the beret came together, despite all the cables and the fact that I still am very much a “knitting infant”. I daresay I shall be buying another pattern from her very soon; the Briar Rose bolero has been calling my name for months!

The only thing I didn’t realize is how big the beret would be. I wanted slouchy, but after finishing the piece I wasn’t sure I wanted something this full! However, after trying it on I’m absolutely in love with the size and shape–I really can’t wait for the weather to get cool enough!!

Have a lovely evening and I shall be posting the Vintage Monday inspiration tomorrow morning!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

p.s. Alright… it only took me the time of writing this post to break down and just buy the Briar Rose pattern! lol. I think I know what my next knitting project is…