Diving Back into the Deep Teal Stash

I can't recall why I stopped knitting for a while...chalk it up to a change of season, time constraints,   not feeling particularly creative or all of the above. No matter. I am back at it. This particular yarn is a beauty. I've had a sweater's worth of the Deep Teal colorway in my stash for about 4 years now, sitting there waiting patiently for me to finally have the motivation and the right project. I was originally going to design a garment for this yarn but decided the easiest (and fastest) way to get back in the groove is to just get started with a lovely published pattern with all the hard stuff figured out for me. Feels good to be back!

this moment

{this moment}

inspired by SouleMama

a Friday ritual

a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week

a simple, special, extraordinary moment

a moment I want to pause, savor and remember

if you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to see

this moment

{this moment}

inspired by SouleMama

a Friday ritual

a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week

a simple, special, extraordinary moment

a moment I want to pause, savor and remember

if you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to see

Heritage in Knitty

My Heritage cowl is in the newly released Winter Knitty! I've been sitting on this pattern for quite some time and have had the cowl finished and tucked away. Now I can actually wear it out and about.

I designed it in Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino...sumptuous and warm!

I was inspired by gingham fabric that was manufactured back in the 1800s in the cotton mills in my hometown.

It knits up quickly for some last minute holiday gift giving, perhaps? 

A chunky lace pattern finishes both edges.

Hope you enjoy it and I can't wait to see all the color combinations you come up with!

Nothing but Socks

Well I've been trying to finish up UFOs and projects I intended to start when I bought the yarn in February in Freeport at the NETA Spa Knit and Spin. This means I've been knitting sock after sock for weeks (dare I say months yikes years even?)  For my girls, I found this fantastic tube sock pattern for kids. I love the idea of not having the heel to grow out of. Just hoping that the yarn wears well. They are knit in Schachenmayer Regia Fluromania in Neon Now. I've been knitting these one at a time magic loop style which seems to work the best for me.

I have a second pair on the needles in pink/purple for a last minute holiday gift.

Now for myself, I have this epic pair of extra long socks, modifiying Laura Chau's Delicious Knee Socks . These babies have been in the planning since I splurged on the yarn (years ago for my birthday) at the now closed, but once wonderful, Purl Diva store. The yarn is String Theory's Caper Sock in Avalon and it is divine. Definitely worth the wait!

Handcrafted Memories

I recently came upon a post where the author had found some cherished ornaments she made with her family from 40 years ago. She described the memories that flooded back to her from that day when she was 5. At the end of the post I found myself in tears. It was suddenly so clear...time with each other is really all we have. Now I find myself here (after being absent far too long) trying to put into words the importance I find behind the handmade. As most of us know, there is joy to be found in crafting by hand. Gathering materials, composing and treasuring each object is more than fulfilling. However, I am realizing over these early, fleeting years with my children that it is foremost the memories of the experience that can have a profound affect on our lives.  As I make plans for this busy weekend, the top of the list will be hand making decorations with the girls. The end results do not have to be perfect or symbolic or even blog-worthy. My hope is that one day they may find their ornaments and be flooded with the warmth of our time together. Which memories will you be making this holiday season?

Experiments in Film

Going back to basics with my SLR 35mm Pentax cameras. Here's some black and white film from last month. Yes, film.

Trying out a 'new' short telephoto. SMC Pentax 135mm F 3.5

Playing with the contrast adjustment in my photo editing program.

So much easier than in the darkroom.

Black to White

Could have used a yellow filter here?

Extreme contrast adjusting results in highlights off the roof.

Need to do some research on this...

I'm having fun revisiting the basics with my K1000. The ultimate manual camera. Going back to the beginning is quite enjoyable at this point in my life. I seem to be actually getting it. Things seem to click (literally, those mirror flips are loud!). It has also resulted in this wonderful side effect:  I have to slow down, pay attention and be in the moment. A bit zen don't you think?

Market Dates

Well, Hello! It's been a while, but here I am with a bit of news to share. I'll be attending the first annual Portsmouth Open Market this Sunday, June 10 selling my Uma Joy Botanical Soaps.


I've been busy reformulating & redesigning and have finalized a version that I'm quite happy with. The round bar is much more ergonomically & symbolically pleasing and I've upgraded to organic palm and coconut oils.


I'd love to see you at my booth if you are in the Portsmouth, NH vicinity this Sunday...or any of the following dates:

June 10
August 14
September 25
October 23

Dream Dream Dream

Sleep is a highly desired commodity at our house. Still. My youngest is 29 months old, takes wonderful naps and goes down for bedtime with relative ease. However, sometime in the wee hours of the night she pitter patters into our room and demands to come to sleep with us. My oldest is almost 5 and has grown out of naps (ugh) and eagerly goes down for bedtime, yet she also sneaks into our bed around the same time as her sister. So, daybreak finds our family of four crowded into a queen size bed. Sometimes even the cat is curled up near my feet so I can't even move, wedged between everyone. I dream of a king size bed, or better yet, that everyone can sleep the entire night peacefully tucked into their own beds. Last week I had the idea that I would make dream pillows for the girls to chase away bad dreams and keep them in their beds. They loved the idea. Even helped with designing the facial features and picking colors. I stuffed them with sleepy time herbs such as hops and chamomile and shaped them into full moons. They named them and eagerly go to sleep with them each night. Yet, they do not work as intended and this morning all four of us awoke on our ever shrinking queen size bed. Yawn.....

Waves for Warmer Weather

Here's the finished product that I initially posted about here. I've called this the Waves Cardigan & Skirt set and it is now available through Brown Sheep Yarn.


It's funny to me to be posting summer outfits in the middle of January and perhaps I should hold off and show these closer to Spring...but it's exciting when I can finally post about a finished design & I have a hard time waiting! This set was at the TNNA winter show this past weekend & the pattern leaflet should be available soon from Brown Sheep.

Here's my 2 year old modeling the size 2 that I knit.


And here's my 4 year old modeling the same outfit...



I love clothing that can span an age range. Really, if you are going to take the time to make something by hand out of a quality yarn it should get as much wear as possible! The set was a big hit with both of my girls & really comfy to wear. It's knit in Serendipity Tweed which has fantastic stitch definition and a wonderful spectrum of colors to choose from.

Bev from Shipyard Point Glassworks graciously supplied the buttons. My original design had planned for a 5-button closure, but as the design evolved, I ended up with a simple 1-button cardigan. What to do with the other buttons??? That project is on my needles now & will be something that I can wear. Finally.

Last Design 2009

I had hoped to get this out before the last day of fall, but am settling for the end of the year. Here is 'Orli', a design for girls aged 2-6. The pattern, however, is yet to be published. Hopefully by this weekend. I wanted to get photos up so I could include this as a finished project in 2009, even if the pattern isn't complete. That counts right?


I really enjoyed this one. My first top down raglan. I love the top down design. No seaming. How fantastic!


Knit in Sereknity Sweet, an amazing blend of 50% alpaca, 30% merino and 20% silk, it is asymmetrical with the right side knit in one color for a bit of fun.


Stitches are picked up to add the front ruffle and it closes with snaps instead of buttons for a cleaner look.



Great for layering this winter or will be good over short sleeves in the spring.


My daughter is modeling a size 4 with plenty of room to grow.


Pattern will be up soon!

Botanical Bath

Introducing the latest item in the Uma Joy Botanicals line...


My bath salts are crafted with therapeutic Dead Sea Salts infused with an intoxicating blend of plant essential oils. No fragrance oils, artificial colors or preservatives here! All packed in a contemporary glass jar, suitable for repurposing. 12 oz. of pure goodness.


Now available at Poppy Seed Studio. Sherry has an AMAZING store...if you haven't checked it out, definitely worth a visit.

Plaid...Wool...Snow

I am having so much fun with this upcycling project. Here is a reversible bonnet made of an upcycled 100% merino wool sweater and an upcycled 70/30 wool/rayon skirt. The plaid wool blend is super soft and quite thick. Paired with the charcoal gray merino, this little hat is virtually snow and windproof.


Oh, and it is reversible. Fun! I handknit i-cord ties in 100% wool and appliqued on a little heart...


Now available on Etsy and just in time for snow. Yay:)

Upcycled

Here's a peek at my latest venture...children's hats created from recycled wool sweaters. Now available in my Etsy shop!


The idea is to upcycle high quality wool sweaters that have been damaged or would have otherwise lived a sad existence in the back of a closet into one-of-a-kind fun hats for little ones. And at the same time, creating something new without using new materials...more eco-friendly. Even the fleece lining in this bonnet is upcycled.


I love the idea of turning something old into something new. The challenge is to make it look fresh and as always, well crafted. Though these two silhouettes are quite classic, perhaps the color combo or embroidery details will be enough to stand out a bit from others.

There is much satisfaction in thinking of new designs and the immediate gratification of a finished product (in comparison to knitting...which has it's own satisfying qualities, but as I am not a fast knitter, immediate gratification is not one of them).

Although these are made for wee little noggins, my 2 year old wanted to model the Nordic Star Bonnet...which works on her as well.

Harvest

Now that the frost covers the pachysandra in the morning....


And our little gardening tools left out overnight...


And with Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it was time to harvest the root vegetables...


This beet is a fine specimen, don't you think? And just in time to mail off for the Beets for Dwight project on Ravelry! Thanks to Sarah for the pattern, which I altered a bit for my own preferences. A fun little knit for those of us who love Dwight Schrute...and root veggies.