Soft Pink Roses

Soft Pink
Originally uploaded by knitalatte1

Play time with Kim Klassen Texture Uncle Clarence applied to Pink Roses. Happy End of Summer...

Sidetrack

Yep, it happened again. I was surfin thru Ravelry and I ran across a half granny square shawl pattern and oh boy, I’m in love once again with yet another must-make piece.  And joy of joys, I even have the stash on hand to get started (bonus point!)   I am so enjoying whipping up this crochet granny square triangle, soon to be shawl, cozy, warm and gorgeous! Noro silk garden is fun to work with and every color change is like discovering buried treasure.  I love my obsession, passion, or what ever I call this activity that makes me so very happy.  Have the best weekend. (Free pattern available here)

29 Colorful Granny Stripes and counting…

Steadily progressing on my Granny Stripe Blanket at about a color a day.  Some days a few more, but that seems to be my rhythm considering the other crochet and knitting projects I’ve got going on.  Do you do that too, have 2-3 projects going at the same time? I find it keeps it interesting.  I guess it’s because there are so many things on my ‘must make, have to make’ list. The pressure, pace and sequence are all controlled by my obsession, and quite honestly, I like it that way.

Butterflies are free

If you haven’t been by to visit Spud & Chloe, its high time you did.  Their blog is really colorful and there are lots of free patterns to check out.  When I read their blog post showcasing this pattern for knitted butterflies, I was so excited to make one for my little grand niece.  This project is a fun easy-peasy knit. Weaving in the ends takes a little bit of time, but other than that it is super quick. I’m off to get these little beauties packaged and ready to mail in the morning.  Hope you're having a relaxing Sunday.

I Crochet Inspires!

One of my favorite crochet blogs is Sarah London. There is always something to see.  Photos of great looking crochet items and fun colorful patterns to help inspire us.  You can also check out the Sarah London textiles photostream on flickr to see some really amazing crochet, just beautiful.

And, it gets even better, a fabulous way to look at crochet items from people all around the globe. It is a blog called I Crochet and it is really easy to add a link from the site to your own blog. I have been having the best time looking at all the gorgeous crochet items being posted there.  Awesome!

Twenty-One

Mini update on Granny Stripe progress. 21 and counting, oh my, it is so colorful.

Reminds me of looking thru a kaleidoscope, bright, cheerful and fun.

For the love of Knitting

I’ve been so absorbed in crochet that my knitting, what knitting? has been neglected.

I know it’s a mini issue, but I thought it was high time I picked up my needles before I forget how they work. I’ve missed the sound and steady rhythm of clickity clack as fabric is in the making.

Recently, I was over visiting Leslie’s blog, a-friend-to-knit-with, and saw the gorgeous slouchy cardigan she just finished, WOW…I’m smitten.  I’ve also seen several other finished versions on Ravelry (a mere 230+) and thought I’d like to give it a go.  I have a stash of Jo Sharp DK tweed in Paper rose on hand, so I’m off and a knittin again.

The pattern by Helene Roux can be found in the book Greetings from the Knit Café by Suzan Mischer.  I’ve owned this book for a while, 1^st edition, so there is some errata to deal with. Errata! Isn’t that the scariest word in the knitting language?

I believe all has been corrected in the 2^nd edition so if you get a chance, check it out.

Dreamin

…Tonight I dream, memories of Roma

I see the city alive with people walking along the avenue with smiles on their faces.  The streetlights illuminate the age-old buildings giving them an unearthly glow.

I smell the scent of cooking.  Italian treats, garlic, basil and fruity wine fill my senses with longing. I sit at a table in an open-air café, candles aglow, I mingle, I laugh.

I hear the sounds that are only of Italy.  Voices speak the language, insruments play the music …romantic, authentic, rhythmic.  In the background the sound of nearby fountains grace the air.

In my dream I am there once again, sharing a gelato, a cappuccino, a view with a friend.

I awake from this dream refreshed and nostalgic for this place I amore…Roma…

Random inspiration

Pink-White flower
Originally uploaded by knitalatte1

What a week. Being a part of inspiration staycation has been awesome.
I don't want it to end! I couldn't wait to get home from work each day to check the site for the latest post and instructions on how to play with photography, art, writing and my own creativity. I've come away full. Full of joy, hope and amazement at the possibilities that lie ahead. Art feeds the soul like nothing else. Thank you Kim Klassen for all you've done to make this event possible.

Slowin it down

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how quickly the hours pass by.

Has it always been like this, or is an awakened awareness?  I’ve got so much I want to do and I don’t want to waste a single minute.

I know I’ve got to work and make a living, responsibilities and all.  But what I’m talking about are those hours that are mine, truly mine.  I figure they add up to about 3-4 per day.  They are the precious ones. The hours that I can spend knitting, crocheting, dabbling with photography, blogging, connecting with friends and family are the ones that I’d like to last longer.  They are the hours that make me feel so grateful to be alive. Joy can blossom, Ideas can be born and Growth happens.

Granny Stripe report...

It is hard to put into words how much fun it is to complete a colorful row on this blanket.  What I can say is that it keeps me smiling and wanting more.  Yes! A journey of pure Joy is coming my way as I’ve plenty of rows ahead of me.  And it is the journey that matters, right?

And someday I hope it will be handled as a vintage find.

Inspiration Staycation Day 2

Inspiration Staycation Day2
Originally uploaded by knitalatte1

I knitted this pair of booties with angora and then took a photograph. I wanted the yellow wall to be muted a bit, so applying the 'vintage effect' tutorial really helped achieve this. FUN!

Kelly over at the blue muse has asked us to write.
and I'm all for becoming a better writer, so this is what
is on my mind...

Take the plunge.    Do I have the courage?    I’m on the edge of creativity but never immersed and that scares me.    What fears?    Face them.    Will they disappear or just move out of sight?    Name them.  Acceptance, success, failure or a bit of each?    I’m committed to try.    Is that enough?    Jump in.

Inspiration Staycation Day 1

Inspiration Staycation Day1
Originally uploaded by knitalatte1

I didn't know what to expect, but what happened was a feeling of pure joy as I worked with paint. I was so in the moment that all my cares just flew away. Kim Klassen, thank you for introducing me to Connie and her lovely blog dirtyfootprints.studio.

Granny stripe progress, Lucky #7?

Seven colors, seven stripes, seven hours.  Yes, it is taking me about an hour per color. That ought to make it easy to manage my crochet time schedule.  I am hooked on hookin this fun-to-make blanket.  I had a great train ride up to LA. I pod on, hook in hand and gazin out the window here and there to see the beautiful ocean view wiz by.  Once I arrived at Union station, my daughter picked me up and we were off to Santa Monica for some fun. We spent the morning doing a little shopping. First stop, Rachel Ashwell’s store ‘Shabby Chic Couture’. I love her books so I just knew her store would not disappoint. The displays of vintage furniture intermixed with gorgeous linens inspired me to go home and get out the sewing machine, must make something!  I chose a pair of ruffled pillow shams that I adore to add to my Target simply shabby chic bed. Second stop, the Urban craft center.  Lots of fabric, yarn, and books on display and there is a really large area for classes. I picked up a pretty fabric remnant that I want to make into a pillow.  Well, as you can imagine, all that shopping worked up an appetite and a girls gotta eat, so we went on up the hill to Topanga Canyon for lunch at the Canyon Bistro. Yummy!  Thanks sweet daughter for the best day!