Reading, Gardening, Dreaming

Doesn't the cupboard remind you of something? Of course this one is much more neater than mine. There is something terribly serene about blue and white crockery on a dark wooden background. I really must dry some hydrangeas in the fall, if only to drape across my cupboard!

The table setting is lovely. And blissful. The roses with that blue is just heavenly. The tablecloth is the most divine blue. I want that tablecloth. These images are from the book Tabletops by Barbara Ohrbach. Brilliant inspiration for those that need it once in a while. I am also perusing The New Country Style England by Ingrid Rasmussen. Not really liking it so very much. A bit sparse for my liking (I tend to be a wee bit more English Country Clutter). However, the tapestries and colours at the home of Kaffe Fassett is a must see. The warmth of the colours and the combinations are truly stunning. There is a picture of hands knitting something divine but they don't tell you what it is. The man's eye for style is to be envied.

Well must go cut some roses, water the petunias and sniff what is left of the peonies.

Granny Square Love

Well here she is. The beloved granny square blanket and/or afghan. I really love it. It was a pleasure to make and it is yummy to curl up in. I tried to base it on the afghan in the "Nanny McPhee" movie. There are a few that are really similar but some of Nanny's had a real mustardy yellow which I found very difficult to find. I used the basic granny square pattern and sewed it together using the whip stitch. Up to this point, I never even knew what a whip stitch was and really not 100% sure I do now. I had to kind of wing this whole project as I do not know anyone that knows how to crochet. Does it look old fashioned? Could it have been crocheted by a little old granny two or three decades ago with the remnants of yarn from old projects? That was my aim.

I used mostly a wool/acrylic mix, just for laundering purposes but as it got bigger and bigger I needed more and more yarn. As a result there is some pure wool in there so laundering will, in fact, be a delicate operation.

My favourites are the greens, mauves, pinks and blues. Everybody seems to have an opinion on what one is the prettiest. I do like the odd black one though. They add interest somehow.

Well there you have it.

Oh, and I wish to thank all the bloggers out there that inspired me. You all know who you are. How influential you are to me. Really. Next thing you know, I'll be sewing.

Peg Bags and Pert Ni*p*ples

Have you ever seen such a post title? Certainly not. The reason for this suprising post is simple. I'll start from the beginning. A while ago, I decided to knit the French Market Bag over at Knitty. Problems ensued. This was the result. It wasn't pretty. As you can see from my wordage, I never anticipated the power of "Google". The amount of hits I get per day from people looking for porn on this site is incredible. Needless to say, the disappointment must be enormous for those seeking p*ert ni*p*ples on my little knitting blog.

Which brings me to peg bags. That is the second most sought after word search on my blog. And for that simple reason, I am here to help. The following are some of the cutest darn peg bags I have seen in my travels. Hope this helps those that end up here. The peg seekers I mean, not the ni*p*ple seekers.

The little cutie in the picture is a Cath Kidston.

Greengate also has some sweet ones.

For those in the States, visit Homespun, hers are just as adorable.

And let's not forget one of my favourtie bloggers, Plump Pudding.

Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Please let me know if I have helped you in your Peg Bag search.

Back From Sabbatical

Hello faithful readers. I know there are a few of you that have missed me and I am feeling a wee bit more sorted now. I have been very busy with Prom for DN1, among other things. The last week I have been looking after my father's toy store which has allowed me to finally finish sewing the Incredibly Beautiful Loved Every Minute of It Granny Square Afghan/Blanket. The sewing up was, well you know how I feel about sewing. But it is done and it is adorable. Crochet is really enjoyable and relaxing. You can put it down and pick it up again, easier, I think, than knitting. I will post a picture of it when I get the camera back...don't ask.

I have also aquired a penchant for garage sales, content sales and the like. I am accumulately a huge amount of items that I have gotten amazing deals on. There's aprons, blankets, glasses, planters, and pillowslips (or is it pillowcases?). Shall I go on? The list is actually endless. I guess the time I used for blogging was taken up with buying!

By the way, my Mum and Dad are in England and Mother has bought me something I have been yearning for in previous posts. Any guesses? She's been shopping at Cath Kidston for me. There's your hint, go for it.

~~~~~~*~~~~~~

I will post again soon just thought an update was in order for those that so loyally kept me on their bloglines list. For that, I thank you :) xoxo

PS I have been playing with the layout and colour. Does it work for you?

It's Been a Good Ride

And thank you to all my readers that have been around so faithfully the last three years. I feel that my blogging has reached an impasse.

Perhaps in a few weeks or months I will return but for now this seems right.

Again, thank you, your comments, emails and questions have meant the world to me and I will continue to read many of your blogs.

Lisa
xo

Why

I have not posted in a few days, mostly because my mind has been somewhere else other than with the mundane.
The reason why I am melancholy is some very sad news came to us last Friday. My 14 year old came home from school and told us one of her best friends was upset at school and crying. A team mate from her friend's soccer team had passed away. Later we found out she had committed suicide. At fifteen years old. I'm sorry but I just cannot imagine. The sadness I have felt over the last few days has been all consuming. My daughters are so close to her age and I really can't understand. And my feelings for that poor family. I just can't put it into words. My own parenting is coming into question. Would I know? Do I ask the right questions? Do I/we push too hard? Where is the line between encouragement and pressure?

Parenting has always been a priority in my life. My husband and I even took parenting classes when our two oldest were younger although many laughed at us for doing so. But is trying hard good enough?

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer but self evaluation is in the air.

Corners of My Home

This is my cupboard that holds all my transferware. I have a fascination with the blue and white. The bottom is filled with red and white transferware which I love also. Most of the pieces are vintage or antique but some are still available like the Crabtree and Evelyn Mason's teapot set. I also have some Spode pieces and a couple of odd bits from Furnival. Blue and white seems to match with almost any decor and any of these pieces look great in all my rooms. The blue and white pitchers look heavenly with yellow tulips or pink roses.

Now if I could just get some of my flowers to bloom in the garden, I could fill some of these jugs. Toronto weather is cool.

Victoria Magazine Lovers Rejoice!!!

For those that have been positively heartbroken since the demise of this magazine, time to celebrate. It is coming back this fall. I have missed this delightul magazine and am almost giddy with anticipation. You can read the story here.

My absolute favourites were the March issues that would showcase England. I do hope the content will be just as good as before. The photography was always so brilliant and beautiful particularly those done by Toshi Otsuki.

I think I may have a peek at all my old issues. I have collected them from early on so I have too many to count but the inspiration! Heavenly.

Lusting after Vintage Bedding

I know this is a super crappy picture of "Nanny Mc Phee" but you have to watch this movie and see the vintage quilts, tartan rugs and granny square blankets/afghans that are on these beds. Truly a crafter's movie if there ever was one. I watched it for the first time on Saturday night and the whole family was getting rather peeved at me for pausing during all the bedroom scenes so I could fully absorb the bedding. Especially the granny square blanket. My husband thinks there are different squares involved but I think they are all the basic grannies with different colour combinations. Absolutley delightful. I may just watch it again for the blankets!

And a few blogs I am quickly becoming addicted to:

Kelly's Vintage Lifestyle

Pink Paint and Roses

Jane's Apron

And by 5:00 pm I always wonder where my time has gone.

So Terribly Late for the Party Again...

Finally joined the Corners of my Home group. Could I be any later getting to this party? I guess the trick is to show the one or two corners that aren't a mess? I chose the name "Greens and Roses". I noticed my rooms are either green or have roses so there you go. These are some jugs I have on my window in my bedroom. I've collected so many jugs, creamers and pitchers over the years, they are everywhere. Of course the ones with roses are probably my favourites along with the blue and white transferware ones.

Is it possible...

To have clothes peg bag envy? If there is such a thing, surely I must have it. Deb at Homespun Living has made me re-think my ugly plastic basket I use for my clothes pegs (or is it pins?). Deb sells them on her site, the problem is I want the one she's using! It is positively fetching. I have been doing quite a bit of thinking about my clothesline lately. I gave it a good wash yesterday and now I need some new clothes pegs and of course, a lovely clothes peg bag to put them in. I do have some interesting clothesline stories. Many times I have had neighbours comment on my items that are hanging on the line. They have commented on my lovely sheets, my ginormous bath sheets and even a bra once. Is that politically correct? Is one allowed to comment on another's unmentionables that are on the clothesline? What is the clothesline etiquette here?

And where the heck can you get some nice, durable clothes pegs btw? I want some of these.

Granny squaring is addicting. I have about 20 done and am very pleased with myself. There is the looming question however, of who exactly is going to sew these babies together? I have tentatively crocheted a couple together and am not happy with the result. You get that ridge thingy. You all may remember one of my famous lines about sewing?

I have also learned in the last couple of weeks how to properly pick up stitches AND the 3 needle bind off which I think is frickin amazing cuz sewing up sucks big time and anything that eliminates the most shitty side to knitting, I want to be a part of.

February 2005

How's that for famous quotes? Feel free to use that one anytime.

I did trying blocking one just to see if it made much of a difference. It didn't. I guess the acrylic content is the reason for that. I am using a Pingouin yarn that is really quite lovely to work with. I am to understand that it is no longer available? Although the yarn store I purchased from had a tonne in stock. The colours are brilliant and very spring-y.

Grannylicious

I have conquered the Granny square. After many, many tries, at last I have satisfaction. It's not really that I couldn't do them, it's just I didn't like them. They just did not look the way I felt they should look. There is a standard you know. The colour combinations out there are just too divine. I love hers. And this one was made out of pure determination (and not wanting to spend the pounds on the overpriced one from you know where). There are just too many to count. But the best has to be Caroline. She had a few set backs at the beginning and persevered. I love the candor. It was her persistence that motivated me. Thank you, Dolliedaydream!

The green, pink and blue ones were my first decent looking ones. I have since gone out and commited more yarn shopping felonies and the ice cream-y colours are the result.

Should I join the Grannyalong? Do you think they are good enough? I really can't say. Do I deserve a medal for trying?

Funny, I felt so great when it all came to me and they came out so well but the rest of the family didn't seem to share in my jubilation. Why is that?

Update for the Love of Blogs

I've really been doing quite a lot of spring cleaning. There are many new blog links I think you will enjoy. I have removed a few that were not very current. Sorry, but if you haven't blogged in more than two months, you're outta there.

I know you will just love:

Homespun Living
Vintage Household
Vintage Living
Yvestown

I see a pattern here with the Vintage and the living thing. Am I dwelling in the past?

Tickets Please...Last Call for the Granny Square 'Ghan Bandwagon!

Alternatively, you can board the Unbelievably Popular Ripple Blanket Bandwagon. Personally, I would like to board both at the same time. However, there are impediments. The first was actually obtaining the Holy Grail of Pattern Books. This little sucker was nowhere to be found. And I was like a quadzillionth in line for it at the library. Finally got it from Amazon.ca and for a darn good price I might add. Then there was the problem of a below average crocheter trying to figure out dc2tog. Don't go there. Seven steps for one freakin' dc2tog? I'm thinking of checking out Expedia for tickets to travel on the "Unbelievably Popular KNIT Ripple Blanket Bandwagon" instead.

Now for the Granny Square 'Ghan Bandwagon. Cannot board. Can't even find the bloody platform. I am totally unable to create a granny square. You know the first crochet project that Grade 2 children master in one lesson? Don't know what the problem is but it must have something to do with early menopause.

But I do still knit. With some degree of accuracy and skill. The afghan was a quick knit and suprisingly satisfying. Basic rib knit with some stash bustin' yarn. A mix of Babi by Grand River Yarn and some burgundy cotton I had from something and I can't remember what (there's that E.M. thing again).

Oh, and Ottawa. Love it. The Byward Market area is phenomenal. Great stores, lovely pubs and restaurants. Thinking it would make a great girl's weekend. Perhaps the Chateau Laurier?

Away for a week

In the nation's capital for OFSAA. Will be visiting Yarn Forward as a break from hockey games. Can't wait to sink my teeth into a beaver tail.

Hexagons Knit not Crochet

First let me show you some of my beautiful tulips. There, now that you are smiling a wee bit you can help me with a dilemma.

I have been trying to figure out how to knit hexagons like my mum used to knit back in the early seventies. I had asked my creative buddies at Knitter's Review and although they were very creative and knowledgeable they could not help me recreate an exact replica. So frustrated and determined I searched mother's house and eventually found the antiquated pattern.

Of course, the question now being, am I able to post this pattern on my blog? There is no copyright information on the piece of paper nor a reference as to where it came from. It is just a typewritten pattern with "1970" at the top.

I have scanned one of the hexagons I have knitted to see if this rings a bell with anyone.

They really are quite darling and once you knit them together it becomes a cross between a quilt and afghan. Very stylish at the moment. Especially for those trying to hop on the hexagon bandwagon that can't crochet.

Any informative bits about what I can or can't do would be appreciated.

No Sewing Machine

And really that never used to bother me. But all the lovely sites I visit that seem to cross over from knitting/crochet is becoming overwhelming and well, addictive. Did you know blogs are addictive? I DO NOT SEW, yet I want to. Isn't that crazy? And am I becoming, dare I say it? Crafty? Am I doomed to be the little old lady at the charity booth selling the crochet loo roll covers?

And is it wrong to be totally in love with this little sewing kit?

Do I have the time, energy, and quite frankly, a strong enough marriage to add another craft to my repertoire?

Oh, and btw, where do all these people get so much talent?

Obsession (the compulsion not the perfume)

Crochet is, well, addicting. Granny squares, with all the new colour and yarn choices are far too alluring to resist. And to put the icing on the cake, Country Home puts a gorgeous throw on the cover of the March issue and I am aflutter. I'm liking the hexagons. This one is from Pine Cone Hill. Then did you see the cover of Period Living? Need I say more? Elizabeth had the right idea when she decided to get this book.

Knitting? What's that? That two needle thing? Come on. As I have said before, I may have to change my name to "Btchwstick".

Bitten...by the crochet bug and it hurts

After reading the inspirational ramblings of Bella Dia I have succumbed to crochet. I kneel at the feet of the person that invented this fabulous craft. I love it. It took me a whole weekend to figure out but I am definitely loving it. But man does it eat up the yarn. Here I am thinking I will use all the small balls of left over yarn for this little lap throw/afghan. Brilliant idea yes? Except when you realize you are running out and have to actually PURCHASE yarn for your stash busting project. I know, counterproductive but necessary. So after much toil I am almost finished this little project. The Bella Dia pattern and tutorial is available on her website and it is loosely based on the one that Yarnstorm did a month or so ago. Now I am not quite a novice yet (I only know how to chain, single crochet and double crochet) but I am an apt pupil and plan to continue learning more and more. I must admit however, there are only certain items that interest me that are crochet made. Blankets and such are lovely and I want to learn the granny square thing. 200 Crochet Blocks is next on my purchase list.

I am still on the pincushion wagon and will continue to whip up more of those little cuties. In the mean time there are kids to feed, drive, and yell at so if you will excuse me...

Sew Cute!

Well, can you believe me, the one that abhors sewing up actually sewed something? These little cuties were just too adorable to pass up. Not to mention I don't have a pincushion so voila! The fact that I cannot sew didn't seem to stop me. I know I won't win any awards but it will suit me just fine. But damn aren't they just darling? You can get the pattern at Whip Up which by the way is a great site.

Totally off topic, but must comment on the news item today about shoppers that frequent Winners and Homesense. Apparently their computers have been hacked and everyone's credit card and debit card information is at risk. Little worried here. I kinda live at these two stores and always use credit.

No new knitting really. Just looking for a good kid mitten pattern for a chunky yarn to do up a quick pair for DN3. Was about to do one I found on the net. Til I got to the part where you have to crochet the thumb closed. Hello...Crochet??? I can't crochet. I want to crochet but unless you can seam a thumb with a wicked chain stitch than that ain't happening. Do most people assume that if you knit you can crochet? Just sayin'.

PS Did you notice all the new blog links I gave you? Your welcome.