stellesky

moving

2010-02-13T16:22:00.000-05:00

For all two of you who read my blog (!!!!) I am moving to a new url.... http://blancheandestelle.blogspot.com/

See you there!

Holiday Crafting

2010-01-07T19:35:00.001-05:00

Here’s the run down of most of the crafting that was done over the holidays in 2009. The most work was the “Christmas Eve” coordinating outfits for the kiddos. I used patterns from Simplicity for C’s pants and the good ole Sandbox Pants pattern from Oliver + S for A’s, both in coordinating fabric from Joel Dewberry. C also got a tunic (more a dress b/c I made it in a 24 month size so she can wear it for a while) – I used the Puppet Show tunic pattern also from Oliver + S.

I really had fun working on these, and learned how to do some different stitches on my sewing machine… See the decorative stitch on the pockets:

I made a Christmas Stocking for Coral as well, just like I did for her brother two years ago. Hers turned out a bit smaller than hit (oops) and I think it looks kind of like a sock monkey stocking… I did add some additional flowers and some leaves to the stocking, but packed it before taking a photo.

Here is a photo of one of the bed pockets I made for my sister and her girlfriend… I used my parents’ old pillowcases which were perfect. I followed this Sew Mama Sew pattern to make these – so clever. I also added initials in bright red but also forgot to snap another picture before giving them!

My big obsession in holiday 2009 crafting was felt. Here are some of my creations…

mini “Triangle” cats – based on the larger variety my Aunt Jose makes. These make good toys for kids, or Christmas ornaments. I embroidered family members initials on the backs of these.

I made a customized diving ornament for a couple who enjoy diving. I was so excited to notice their Christmas tree was covered with nautical and diving-related ornaments, but they did not have a dive flag felt ornament!!!

Felt food. I made these cupcakes as well as some bacon and fried eggs (darn I forgot to photograph these). I had so much fun making this food! And fat free!! The cupcakes used this pattern. I had some silicone baking cups and these really make the cupcakes.

I also made my sisters Gratitude Wraps – when I saw Soulmama’s pattern I thought they would both enjoy these. Of course, I forgot to photograph the second one, which has buffalos on it. But here is the first one I made, complete with a pewter Danforth button (I modified the pattern slightly to use a button instead of a tie on this one).

Finally, knitting, my form of therapy these days with all the moving and packing major life changing that has been happening. The sweater (which won’t fit in the bust until I stop nursing) is the Shalom Cardigan from Involving the Senses. I knit this pretty much entirely on my Thanksgiving road trip from CT to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is a striking pattern and it is fun to knit, and quick. I used Cascade Ecological Wool.

And this little pile was cast on before we left New England on our cross country road trip to Arizona. I am about 50 percent done with this one. It’s the February Lady sweater. Love the Elizabeth Zimmerman style of knitting, and this version of the baby sweater by Flint Knits is awesome. Fun to knit. And the yarn I’m using feels great, too. Araucania kettle-dyed wool in a grey blue. I may have to make this a mother/daughter sweater and make the baby version next!

Fabric Book

2009-12-16T19:27:00.001-05:00

I made my first fabric book for my niece Megan’s second birthday. For my first try, I am very pleased! I have all sorts of ideas for ways to make these going forward. If only I had more time… :)

This book has a seasonal theme, and has room for pictures of Megan in the different seasons. I tried to include ‘activities’ like zippers, pockets, and buttons. My mom made me some books like this when I was a child, such fun!

Take a peek inside!

Spring: bunny behind the flowers!

Summer: butterfly comes out of pocket

Fall: leaf behind the zipper

Winter: snowman has a scarf to tie

knitting and sewing the days

2009-10-11T10:07:00.004-04:00

I swear knitting lowers my blood pressure, which is something I've been needing to do a little these days, as our family weathers some difficult times. I've had several small knitting 'kits' ready for me to take in the car or keep ready during naptimes, and I have finally made my Fetching mits. They are so great when pushing the stroller on walks on these cool days! I did not have enough yarn to finish them all in one color, but I like the combo of light pink and white. I had some Debbie Bliss Merino Aran, which is just slightly less yardage than the Cashmerino Aran, so that explains the addition of the white.

Another kit - kitchen scrubbies with leftover yarn. I'm always trying to improve my crochet skills, and these are a great way to do so! Ethan has been testing out this one and so far says he really likes it. I made three flowers and sewed them together through the middle. This is Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn.

A hat for baby girl... a Yankee knitter pattern for an earflap hat. I used some Plymouth baby alpaca yarn I got this spring at WEBS shortly after Coco was born. Love the colorway. The accent color on the trim has little gold sparkles in it, too, very lovely.

And some pants to grow in... these are a Simplicity pattern that I made in the 18 month size and then hemmed them up super high so I could just let the hem down as she grows. The fabric is some Joel Dewberry that I found on super sale at Hancocks of Paducah, I bought some contrasting patterned fabric in the same color combination and will be making a little top to go with the pants for a Christmas outfit, and I think I'll try to make some pants for AJ and maybe a bowtie?!?

Flowers on the backside to tell which way they go on!

Here are the first pair of Sandbox pants for AJ - another pair is in the making, these are great. I made them big so I just cuffed them up. May make the next pair a little shorter.

And here is the second swingset tunic for Coco in some Heather Bailey fabric I picked out while pregnant with her. I think this will look great next summer! It is an 18 month size and fits like a dress now.

Getting the hang of things here

2009-08-04T13:45:00.002-04:00

I have been adjusting to life as a full time caretaker for my kids, and I was worried for a while that I'd never knit, sew or paint again, even though I have 'studio' space in the finished basement at our new place. Fortunately, I am getting the hang of life with a baby and toddler at home. I am always stunned when I manage to cut out some fabric or sew something. And I have knit a hat since being here (it's been a little over two months). Things are looking up!

Recent stuff:

Swingset tunic in vintage thrifted fabric, the 6-12 size (Coco is about 4 months here, and it is almost too small already!):

Lazy Days skirt in Heather Bailey Freshcut fabric, for when Miss Coco is a tad bigger!:

Hat for Emmaline (modelled by Miss Coco) in Cascade Eco wool with some crocheted Noro yarn for the flower (this is my own simple design):

And some arts and crafts! Fun with toilet paper rolls!!

tp city
Originally uploaded by stellesky

production

2009-06-11T20:08:00.009-04:00

I haven't had any time! I have a new baby, an upcoming move, graduations, birthdays and anniversary parties, as well as transitioning from working full time to being home full time, ee gads. But here are some of the 'products' of the past several months...

Mommy putting her new baby in handmade stuff while still at the hospital!
Vine Lace Baby Hat by Sandi Wisehart in some leftover mulberry silk
Saartje's booties by Saartje de Bruijn in some leftover cashmere blend

Baby at home, in the fantastic Kicking Bag for Babies by annika with various leftover sock and lace weight yarns - very funky and by far the most used and useful handmade item during the first few cold weeks! (also note the handsome, haggard husband and the disheveled craft wardrobe, and the hideous wallpaper in our rented house).

Some triumphant sewing, something I haven't done in a while. this gives me hope for finding time to sew amidst little kiddos everywhere. This is the Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae. I love this pattern, very well written and a lovely purse. I made this for my sister's birthday, with some decorator fabric I found at a tag sale.

Here, a happy 2 month old in handmade gifts from friends... the onesie from a local friend, and the cardigan from Jeanne... and that smile is one of the best products of the past two months!!!

From stellesky

A Storm

2009-03-08T12:31:00.002-04:00

I have finished a lovely sweater from Kim Hargreaves Heartfelt. It's Storm.

It is a little different than the pattern calls for -- I finished it inside out. I did this unintentionally, but I really like the way it looks. It doesn't look too bad on a big pregnant belly. I'm hoping this will be a nice spring wool to wear after the baby arrives. Note the buttons-- vintage glass cutouts given to me by my mother in law, from her collection.

baby bonanza

2009-03-02T16:29:00.002-05:00

vine lace baby hats - pima tencel
Originally uploaded by stellesky

I have made 3 of these vine lace baby hats and I'm working on a fourth. This is a great pattern for quick, easy, and cute baby hats! Many friends are having babies, including several who are having their second babies around the same time that I am due. I decided to make some hats well enough in advance so that I could just pop them in the mail. I used leftover Cascade pima tencel from the Anouk I made for the red and purple hats.

I also made a preemie sized version in some leftover RYC Cashcotton in pink for my friend who's baby was born at 32 weeks (the baby was due around the same time mine is due, early April).

I also made a little hat out of some leftover
Indiecita Baby Alpaca Grande Paint for a friend who just had her second boy.

And finally, I finished a small baby quilt for my upcoming arrival. I had made AJ a quilt as well, and though I have less time and energy now than I did then, I managed to pull this one together. I appliqued the lace and the stripes of leftover fabric onto one of my husband's crib sheets from when he was a baby, and then combined hand quilting and machine quilting with a hand-sewn binding. I really like how the colors turned out, especially the bright blue binding.

baby knits

2009-02-09T19:03:00.004-05:00

January was a productive month for knitting. I finished two knitted items for the new baby, coming in April.

First I made Helena, from Knitty, with Cascade Sierra Quatro. This is a great pattern! Very pretty, and knit up quite quickly. I used two skeins of yarn and literally had to patch bits together to finish this, for size 3 months. Very cute for spring!

Second, I made Anouk, also from Knitty, by Kate Gilbert. I used the Cascade Pima Tencel recommended by the pattern. I have always admired this little smock, and decided it was time to make it. I am not the best at intarsia, but I think it turned out very nicely. I knit this in the 3 month size. It is pretty tiny. I finished this on my birthday, but still need to find some cute buttons. I have some left over from Helena, but they are too small.

Now, just need to make a few little hats, and maybe some booties...

knitting in 2009

2009-01-13T18:24:00.003-05:00

First two projects started and completed in 2009.

1. Mittens for AJ
Cascade Ecological Wool
embroidered with A's to try and motivate him to wear them once in a while...
Knit on vacation in the Poconos.

Stella's Hat
for Me
Using Noro Silk Garden yarn...
Knit mostly in the car coming back from the Poconos
This was the second of these hats I've knit. The last project I finished in 2008 was this hat in Ecological Wool for my sister Daeva. On the way to the Poconos.

And the needles are going like mad around here! Is it the nesting instinct kicking in already?!?

Haiku!

2009-01-08T15:20:00.003-05:00

I saw this lovely Haiku sweater pattern from Knitty and decided it looked like a fun knit. I made it for my friend who is due with her second child about 2 weeks before me. Her first child is about 2 weeks older than my son! We are really in sync in the baby department :)

Anyway, this really is a haiku pattern. Simple, fun to knit, and easy to sew up. I used some leftover Classic Elite Yarns Waterspun in a pretty purple, and added some light blue buttons (they don't come out so well in the picture).

From stellesky

Christmas giving

2008-12-31T08:28:00.002-05:00

Here are a few of the Christmas crafts that adorned the holiday this year...

Handmade ornament books.

I used techniques I learned in a book arts course and sewed these little guys out of some scrap papers. I glued the decorative rick rack and ribbon, added a little glitter, and then wrote out Christmas quotes and poems in each one. We used these on our Christmas dinner table, and had guests read from the poem books for our Christmas blessing. It was really special and fun!

Poems used:

Let me not wrap, stack, box, bag, tie, tag, bundle, seal, keep Christmas.
Christmas kept is liable to mold.
Let me give Christmas away, unwrapped, by exuberant armfuls.
Let me share, dance, live Christmas unpretentiously, merrily, responsibly with overflowing hands, tireless steps and sparkling eyes.
Christmas given away will stay fresh—even until it comes again."

-- Let Me Not Keep Christmas . . . . . . . . Linda Felver, A Book of Christmas

I will Light Candles this Christmas
by Howard Thurman

I will light Candles this Christmas;
Candles of joy despite all sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,

Candles of peace for the tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all the year long.

Somehow, not only for Christmas
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing,
Returns to you glad.

Potholders

I made a few potholders for the grandparents, with AJ's handprint. They are kind of huge, so they might make better placemats or hot pads... I embroidered his name and the year on them too (did this after taking the photo).

New Sweater

AJ got a new sweater for Christmas... I started this one over the summer I think! I finally finished it and it is big enough that it should fit him through this summer and into next fall/winter. The color is so close to his eye color, I can't believe it. I used really cute fishbowl buttons from Jimmy Beans Wool. I only had three, so I am ordering a fourth one. Great pattern -- the Aran Pullover from Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas.

Handmade hats

2008-12-17T18:14:00.002-05:00

purple hat for MEM
Originally uploaded by stellesky

I made this hat for my niece's one year birthday -- this was knit almost entirely during the final presidential debate, with finishing and embellishments added in late November before giving it to my niece.

I used a variety of yarns, all in shades of purple and lavender. Most of the yarn came from the yarn tour event in NH I attended in October, and most of the fibers are hand spun and hand dyed wool. I don't work with hand spun too often, but it sure is nice! I also added a little leftover Morehouse Farms merino. I did a little bit of crochet around the earflaps and along the edge to help make it lie flat, and added a flower with some french knots. No real pattern used for this one...

I also bought some nice alpaca yarn and made AJ a new winter hat, which is already not quite long enough! I should always overestimate with his huge head :) I really like the yellow/chartreuse/grey combination, and this hat is so soft... again, no real pattern used...

The end of November was not an easy time, and I have had little energy for crafting, blogging and all of that, although I have a long list of things I want to do. Now that the holidays are here I am feeling a bit more energy and have been knitting again at night, and even did some sewing during AJ's Saturday naptime this past weekend. Stay tuned for a few holiday items coming up.

plaid mittens

2008-10-29T13:36:00.002-04:00

mittens
Originally uploaded by stellesky

I made these mittens for a friend's birthday. I had a skein of Rowan Plaid in colors I thought she would like, and found a simple, free pattern from Alison Hansel on Ravelry. More knitting progress, and some sewing progress, coming soon!

hats for twins

2008-09-30T19:07:00.002-04:00

hats for twins
Originally uploaded by stellesky

Actual knitting is taking place! These little hats were crafted for twins that should be arriving into our extended family sometime in the next month or so. One is a boy, one is a girl. I based this loosely on the Cabin Fever Colour Me Bright hat pattern, and turned the i-cord strands into a flower topper on the purple hat.

banners

2008-08-31T13:18:00.002-04:00

banner success!
Originally uploaded by stellesky

We have a new tradition in my family -- every Christmas we make a family banner in honor of a special 'retreat' we have as a family called Kid's Christmas... We are really into banner making. Usually with felt. The inspiration for all the banner making is the summer camp we went to as kids and young adults in our family. We have been lucky to continue having our family 'retreat' at this camp, located in the Litchfield Hills of CT, the past few winters. When we were kids, each 'conference' we went to in the summer would make a conference banner, and all the kids would sign, and then the banner would be hung at the camp for posterity.

One of our friends from camp days is getting married this weekend, at the camp! My sister Anna came up with the idea of a banner to put in the dining hall at the camp, signed by all the guests, as a way to remember the special occasion. We thought Tibetan prayer flags would be special and colorful.

We whipped this up this past week while my sister was staying with me. Got to use my sewing machine in the basement -- this totally reminds me of my mom's sewing area in our basement growing up!! TV and everything! Wow.

seascape shawl and aran pullover

2008-08-01T08:47:00.002-04:00

seascape shawl
Originally uploaded by stellesky

Here is the progress for my Seascape Shawl from knitty. Looking pretty shimmery with the Rowan Kidsilk Night yarn! I am taking my sweet bippy time with this one -- won't be ready to wear this for several more months?!?

And here is the aran pullover from Knitting for Baby that I am working on for Mr. A... knitting in the 2 year old size so it should fit him for a while. This is in Rowan All Seasons Cotton. I wasn't sure if I would like the marbled look of this yarn, but I do! Another fun cable pattern that knits up pretty quick.

Both of these are up on Ravelry.

craft time

2008-07-18T07:46:00.002-04:00

Today I spent part of my day off finally sewing again -- I made some bags to use for knitting projects, lunch, or other small things. My sister Daeva and I made some bags like this one year when visiting my mom in Texas. This is when I learned how to make french seams and love them. Some pretty waverly-esque fabric from a thrift shop. I making some napkins, too...

Here are some random thoughts for a Friday...

Craft time restores your soul.

Here are some shots of me and my family in 'craft' mode, both times making easter eggs, first in the early 80's and then in 2003 at my old studio apartment in Brookline, MA.

And here is a shot of my mom in a sweater she made which I now have... too hot to take a photo of me in it, today, though.

And of fun times with family in NH last weekend. I did some knitting in the car which I'll post eventually.

Fun times with family also restores your soul...

My day

2008-06-26T11:19:00.009-04:00

Here is a glimpse at my day on June 26th as a working mom. Most days, I get some walking in, some knitting, some work (obviously), and lots of rushing around.

It starts between 6-6:30 (Ethan (husband) is already on his way to work at this point). I get out of bed and get myself ready in 10-15 minutes.

Next I go in to wake or pick up AJ who is either stirring, 'talking' or crying a little to be freed from the crib. After nursing, I get him ready, get all his food and supplies ready for 'school' (daycare) and we're there between 7- 7:15 most days. Sometimes we have a few magic glimpses at the wildlife outside.

Some of the food that goes with AJ to daycare.

A turkey hanging out in the backyard.

Next I'm in the car for 40 -50 minutes, depending on traffic. I wish I wasn't commuting. But for now, this is reality.

I arrive at the parking garage, and head out for my 15 minute walk to the library.

Get in to my desk between 8-8:15. After email/calendar/blogreader checking, I do a little work and then pump between 9:30-10, depending on meetings. Today I get out of a meeting about online finding aids at 10.

The pumping room is really just an alcove in a storage room several flights down from my desk... see my pump bag in the distance?

I try to relax while pumping - knitting, (currently working on the Seascape shawl from the latest Knitty with my favorite yarn - Rowan kidsilk night in Macbeth), reading, and sometimes doing work.

Now I'm back at my desk. Most of my work is on the computer. Makings sure the 'systems' I manage as a systems librarian are working. I consult with a staff member from the cataloging department on some records that don't look quite right. I make some updates to configurations for a vendor who is changing their urls for certain databases. I check some log files on the server.

Quick lunch break around noon. If I don't have a lunch meeting or lunch date, I usually eat at my desk, but I do get out to grab some food and some coffee, usually.

Today I run into a good friend on the street. After a quick chat, I grab some soup at Au Bon Pain.

And then take a quick stroll to the main entrance. For a little inspiration. This building is beautiful.

Now some review of documents and notes while I eat lunch. Today I am gathering notes for a system upgrade for one of our database systems.

At 2-3, I go downstairs again to pump.

Then back up the stairs for some work testing out some changes to the library opac, and some research of some online training opportunities since it is quite difficult for me to go away for training given my non-work mama schedule.

Between 4-4:15 I'm leaving for the walk to the car. Feeling a little worn out today. A little sullen. Maybe it is the weather -- grey all day and kinda humid. But a good walk to the car with time to meditate on the day and where I'm 'at' will do some good.

I have a 35-45 minute drive, where I arrive at daycare and collect the boy. Some days Ethan gets him since he doesn't have class in the summer, or we both get him (we can walk there, it is very nice!). We try to soak up as much time with AJ as we can. The 2 hours with him each night never feels like enough.

Get home, nurse, visit the cows, play in the living room/kitchen, feed AJ dinner, give AJ a bath, put on PJs, read books, nurse, put AJ to bed at about 7 (he either goes right to sleep or we have to 'shh' him and sit in the room until he falls asleep. I usually get my clothes for the next day together once he is asleep.

Saying goodnight to the cows

Papa in his comfy pants, sneaking in a mid-week load of laundry

Ethan and I usually eat dinner after AJ is asleep -- and wash bottles, dishes, pumping parts. Prepare AJ's food for the next day. Prepare pumping bag for the next day. Then spend 30 minutes to an hour relaxing -- watching tv (lately the Daily Show, the Colbert Report, So you think you can dance, and soon, Project Runway), talking, checking computer. Sometimes a little more knitting... depends on how exhausted I am. Also, more lovely glimpses of the scenery outside. Dreams of having more time to be creative...

After a shower, and sometimes a little reading, it is lights out between 9:45-10:30. AJ is up once or twice a night for a quick nurse.. and then it starts again!

Cool, grand, parents

2008-06-06T14:58:00.003-04:00

AJ turned 1 this week!

He received some very special gifts from his paternal grandma -- his very own "1" shirts (along with matching shorts for the red 1 shirt). My husband and his sister had shirts for their birthdays with their age on them growing up-- isn't that wonderfully creative and special? And of course they were handmade by my very thoughtful and talented mother in law. I was so excited when she made AJ some of his very own!

I am very lucky to have very cool parents and inlaws, who now are also grand-parents... all inspire me with their talents, their lives and their care for the people in their lives.

Here's a picture of my very cool parents, from sometime in the late 1960's. What a couple! My dad is no longer here -- and today it has been 5 years since he left us -- but his spirit, his inner hipness -- lives on. Thanks DA. Here's to my cool, grand parents :)

Blu jeans

2008-05-22T15:57:00.002-04:00

This weekend the Blu jeans got finished on Sunday morning, and AJ was wearing them after his mid-day nap.

I really like these little pants. Too bad they won't fit for very long, of course! I knit the largest size, but they seem to run a bit small, and AJ runs a little big these days. As usual, these are an example of the imperfections in knitting -- I think one side is longer than the other, but who notices with a little kid running all around?!?

These are so cute. I'm glad I managed to knit something for AJ for this stage in his development. And they are so soft and the real denim Rowan yarn is pretty nice!

And here is a cute bib my mom made:

It works very well for spills! Knitting and fabric. What a good idea.

The best presents

2008-04-17T11:07:00.001-04:00

I love handmade gifts. And knitted gifts are the best kind. Here is a picture of AJ in his sweater made by my friend Jeanne. She made this sweater and a lovely kimono top.

This is the Bookworm Sweater from Louisa Harding’s Miss Bea’s Rainy Day. How appropriate considering AJ's mama is a librarian!

This sweater is awesome -- looks great, is a nice weight, not too heavy but cozy for cool spring days, and with room to grow. I did have to make one minor modification and open up the neck a bit, due to AJ's 90th percentile head circumference...

You can see the opened neck here, it looks pretty cool:

Thank you Jeanne!

I Heart my Hoosier (style) cabinet

2008-04-10T19:44:00.000-04:00

A few weekends ago, a new piece of furniture came into my life:

This is the Hoosier -Style cabinet we picked up at a local antique/collectible shop. I didn't know how much I wanted one of these until I spotted this one. It isn't an actual Hoosier cabinet -- that would have cost us quite a bit more money... but it looks a lot like the one we had in my family kitchen growing up. I think having this in my kitchen now is reconnecting me to my old 'home' -- it feels very comforting. The finish has this pale spring green wash to the oak-like wood, like a table of my grandmother's that I have.

Here is a photo of the table from our old condo in Massachusetts:

Someday maybe I'll have a studio and can have the two pieces together in the same room! The table is currently being stored in our basement...

For now, the Hoosier is in the kitchen, a much better item of furniture to store all my craft and office-y stuff than the previous setup, especially with a rambling infant prowling around.

It is definitely an inspiration to me right now -- and is influencing my current projects. I've been doing a lot of embroidery, and have some special projects up my sleeve...

Minimalist cardigan and Easter

2008-03-25T07:48:00.000-04:00

I finished the Minimalist Cardigan on Saturday, the day before Easter. I wore the cardigan for 3 days straight! It fits well, and is very comfortable. Here are some pictures from the 'photo shoot' with my sister.

The finished product

With my beautiful Leslie Wind shawl pin

One mistake made is that the back is backwards -- so the ribbing is reversed. I had already seamed a lot of the sweater when I realized this error, and decided I didn't care. It is hardly noticeable. C'est la vie, or at least my life anyway...

Had a lovely Easter weekend... here are some of the highlights:

cupcakes made with my sister

Mr A enjoying his easter bunny

And me in my cardigan with my sister in law and niece!

In my Easter... cardigan

2008-03-20T11:17:00.000-04:00

The race is on to finish my Minimalist Cardigan for wear on Easter Sunday. I think I will make it.

I have really enjoyed this pattern, and love the look of this sweater so far. Thanks to my friend Jeanne for suggesting it, and for Little Purl of the Orient for inspiring my color choice.

This truly is Minimalist, especially as knitting patterns go. Very easy to follow, easy to memorize, easy to work on without the pattern in front of you, not too much counting to memorize in your head, and wonderfully simple and elegant looking.

I have used Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL yarn in a cream shade, thanks to recommendations on Ravelry, and the good deals found at WEBS. This cardigan officially got me out of my knitting funk. First, I had to find the pattern -- could not find the fall IK anywhere! Then, in a strange turn of events, my sister's girlfriend happened to bring a copy with her while they visited one weekend, and the work on the Minimalist cardigan began! Hurray for ends to knitting funks :)

In other crafting news...

Naptime? No, bunny making time!! These little critters will be given to the young ones in the family for easter. I even knit up the little green scarf for Flopsy. The skirted bunny is Flouncy. I had some leftover pink fleece from the remnants bin at Joann's, so I made these free form bunnies and stuffed them with the same pink fleece! I managed to get most of the work done on these during a wonderful 2 hour baby naptime over the weekend.

Some socks

2008-03-14T18:32:00.000-04:00

Some socks were finished a few weeks ago... here they are in my new clogs! Perfect shoes for showing off the beautiful Alpaca Sox yarn...

WEBS

2008-02-21T08:16:00.000-05:00

Made a visit to WEBS in Northampton this past week while visiting my sister, and it was amazing to see all the stock in the sale room. I've 'seen' so much of it online, it was funny actually seeing it all in person. The store is pretty amazing, bigger than I imagined, and the staff were all really nice. I had a bit of a yarn spree, buying some online sock yarn, some Rowan All Seasons Cotton, a shawl pin, and the new Kim Hargreaves book. Upon returning home, I realized I had seen Rowan Big Wool on sale, which I would need for the pattern in the Kim Hargreaves book that I wanted to make, so I made one additional online purchase from WEBS. Nothing like a yarn spree, and I'll definitely be stopping in to WEBS when in Northampton again.

Some progress on my current projects (from about a week ago)...

Wearing the new hat

2008-01-11T09:43:00.001-05:00

Wearing the new hat
Originally uploaded by stellesky

New hat for AJ! Made using the Cabin Fever pattern 'Colour Me Bright' with Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Paint and Reynold's Lopi yarns. A fun, easy fair isle that will fit for a while...

I think he likes it... both to wear and to play with!

Holidornments

2007-12-08T16:54:00.001-05:00

I've been working on Christmas presents which double as Christmas decorations this year. Not much knitting-related presents, except for my son's stocking, which is a free-form design I'm making up as I go, hopefully will finish it by Christmas! And one secret quilting project.

Some of the projects...

The secret quilt project...

And the stocking in progress...

Season's greetings!

auntie work

2007-11-16T07:49:00.000-05:00

I am now an aunt of a beautiful little girl. Of course, this means I now have a very special little girl to make things for! I managed to make some bibs and burp cloths for the baby, whose mother is fond of Winnie the Pooh (Aldy modeling).

And have put to good use the sweater and bonnet I made that looks a little too feminine on Aldy.

And the Heather Bailey bitty booties I made that never fit his big feet!

What to make next?!?

Raglan baby

2007-10-28T10:01:00.001-04:00

I finished a little raglan sweater last week -- this sweater was knit almost completely while I do my pumping when I'm at work. I used leftover yarn from a poncho I made for myself with Sisik in Dalegarn 115. The poncho is one of my favorite knitted items I've made for myself. The only problem with the yarn is that it sheds and gets on baby's face... urgh.

I didn't really use a pattern -- borrowed here and there from a raglan pattern in The Debbie Bliss Baby Knits Book, and then just eyeballed sizing. It fits my big boy pretty well. And blue is his color. Hopefully this will fit for another month or two. I may have to add a ribbed border on the bottom to keep it from riding up.

Vintage Vogue Cardigan with Cabled Details

2007-10-05T08:21:00.000-04:00

I finished this lovely Cable Cardigan pattern for my sister-in-law's baby, expected in November. The pattern, "Cardigan with Cabled Details," was originally published by Vogue in 1950. I found it in a book I picked up at a library book sale in Stowe, VT called "VOGUE Fair Isle & Textured Knits". It is very 80's.

The pattern was pretty good -- I did a doubled button band, which I'd never done. Can't decide if I like it. My favorite is the shoulder yokes on the sleeves -- two cables decorate these little strips. I thought it would look wierd, but the shoulder yokes really tie the sweater together nicely!

I knit this with Knitpicks Essential sock yarn, and I don't know that I'll be making another baby sweater with sock yarn, this is the second one I've made and it takes forever. I am too impatient. Anyway, it turned out beautifully :) so no complaining.

new person presents

2007-10-01T10:57:00.000-04:00

To help my friend welcome her newest addition to her family, I sent along a few treats.

Vintage baby quilt.

I have to say making this little quilt was a lot of fun. I found these lovely vintage hand-quilted blocks at a consignment shop and knew I could give them the life they deserved. The colors- dark blue, beige, brown, with hints of red, orange and green, are perfect for a little boy's quilt, or for the back of a rocking chair. I found some reproduction cotton in a coordinating vintage pattern for the backing at my local fabric shop.

Flannel drool set.

I have some of these burp clothes that my mom made for me when I had a newborn a few months ago -- they are a good size and are so stylish. And I whipped up a little matching bib. This fabric almost has a holiday/festive hint to it -- perfect for the little guy as we enter the holiday season.

Welcome little one!!

grandpa pants

2007-09-14T17:18:00.000-04:00

I made some pants for Aldy out of some of my late father's shirts. I thought it would be a nice use of these shirts, and makes me feel my dad's presence. Plus, the plaids are very masculine and kind of 1950's styled. There just aren't enough good boy clothes, I have to make things myself! I used the side and bottom seams of the shirts (straight bottomed shirts) in the pant design, and made up my own pattern.

my little bruiser...

adornments

2007-09-09T19:53:00.000-04:00

Some knitting for me -- projects finished up this summer...

My own prayer shawl - knit out of leftovers from various projects I've knit in the past 3 years.

And a shiny scarf out of Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon yarn... will look great during drab winter days.

Trellis sweater from Knitty

2007-08-20T10:09:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of aj in the Trellis sweater I made for him while I was pregnant. I love this color on him -- it makes his dark blue eyes sparkle. Hopefully this sweater will fit him during the fall -- he is running a little big, though!

Sock knitting

2007-07-23T09:34:00.000-04:00

I had originally given this yarn to my mom and after two years, she finished her socks when she was staying with us after Alden was born in early June. She made them ankle length for summer, so she had an extra skein leftover and gifted it to me! So I made some ankle length socks too.

Pattern: modified Dublin Bay Socks (I made them shorter, and added a row of crochet at the tops, and used the afterthought heel, and knit them toe up on size 2 needles).
Yarn: Regia Silk Color - 1 skein with some to spare.

Overall, I am happy with these, as I can wear them this summer and they look good with Birkenstocks. I like the silk yarn -- it is so soft and stretchy! And it is more fun knitting with a baby on your lap :)

Baby Tomten Jacket

2007-07-16T15:55:00.000-04:00

Made this for the cherub - he wore it to see fireworks, but first he did some stretching in it. Very stretchy!